LIVE COVERAGE: Virginia redistricting referendum • Virginia Mercury

It’s Election Day in Virginia! Voters will decide the fate of the redistricting amendment with major implications for the state’s congressional map.

Follow our live blog for updates, turnout, and results throughout the day:

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Former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax kills wife, then himself, police say • Virginia Mercury Former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax fatally shot his wife, Cerina Fairfax, before taking his own life early Thursday at the family’s home in Annandale, Fairfax County police said, in what authorit...

Full story: Fmr. Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax fatally shot his wife in their Annandale home before taking his own life, police say.

One of their teenage children called 911 just after midnight.

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#breaking Former Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax committed suicide after fatally shooting his wife just after midnight, Fairfax Co. Police confirms.

"Tragic for the children to lose both parents; extra tragic for them to be in the home while it occurred," Chief Davis said.

Spanberger acts on immigration bills, seeks changes to ICE-related measures • Virginia Mercury Gov. Abigail Spanberger this week signed several immigration-related bills into law and proposed changes to others, clarifying how Virginia agencies can work with federal immigration authorities and s...

NEW: Gov. Spanberger signs immigration-related bills into law and proposes changes to others, setting up a clash with lawmakers over limits on ICE cooperation.

She rejects claims Virginia is a “sanctuary state,” saying coordination with feds continues.

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Spanberger amends, signs sweeping gun legislation reshaping Virginia’s firearm laws • Virginia Mercury Just hours before a midnight deadline, Gov. Abigail Spanberger on Monday submitted a series of amendments to high-profile gun legislation passed by the General Assembly last month, while also signing ...

NEW: Gov. Spanberger amends key gun bills and signs others into law, advancing a sweeping overhaul of Va. firearms rules.

The package clarifies assault weapons ban, restores background checks on private sales and expands limits on where guns can be carried.

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NEW: Former Gov. Glenn Youngkin is back on the campaign trail for the first time since leaving office, urging the Virginia Supreme Court to invalidate the state’s redistricting referendum at a “Vote No Rally” in Lynchburg.

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More than 100 people have gathered in Lynchburg for a “Vote No” rally on Virginia’s redistricting referendum, featuring remarks from former Gov. Glenn Youngkin, former AG Jason Miyares, and U.S. Reps. John McGuire and Jen Kiggans.

NEW: Gov. Abigail Spanberger signs legislation raising Virginia’s minimum wage to $15/hour by 2028, with automatic inflation adjustments starting in 2029.

Democrats call it long overdue; Republicans warn of rising costs as budget talks continue.

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As referendum nears, Spanberger balances governing and campaigning • Virginia Mercury Gov. Abigail Spanberger on Wednesday pushed back against criticism from some fellow Democrats who say she has not done enough publicly to rally support for Virginia’s April 21 redistricting referendum...

NEW: @GovernorVA tells me she supports a “yes” vote on Virginia’s redistricting referendum — but her priority right now is governing, not campaigning.

As early voting continues, she’s pushing back on Democrats who want a more visible public presence.

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New Virginia laws target school construction and classroom cellphone use • Virginia Mercury Framing education as a cornerstone of her administration, Gov. Abigail Spanberger on Tuesday signed a sweeping package of legislation aimed at strengthening K-12 schools, expanding career pathways and...

NEW: Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger has signed a sweeping package of education bills into law, targeting school construction, classroom cellphone use, career training and student safety.

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Spanberger signs bipartisan bills tied to billions in business investment across Virginia • Virginia Mercury Gov. Abigail Spanberger on Monday signed a package of economic development bills aimed at securing billions of dollars in private investment and creating thousands of jobs across Virginia, highlightin...

NEW: Gov. Spanberger signs slate of bills backing $7B+ in private investment across Virginia, with projects expected to create thousands of jobs.

The deals include $1B+ in state incentives, paid out over years and tied to job creation and investment benchmarks.

virginiamercury.com/2026/04/06/s...

Virginia joins multi-state lawsuit challenging Trump’s election order • Virginia Mercury Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones has joined a coalition of 21 states in suing President Donald Trump, launching a far-reaching legal challenge to a new executive order that critics say could upend ...

Virginia joins 20 other states in suing President Trump over a new executive order on elections, arguing it could override state voter rules and restrict mail ballots.

The lawsuit claims the move is unconstitutional and could disenfranchise voters.

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Spanberger signs bipartisan school-safety, student support bills into law • Virginia Mercury Gov. Abigail Spanberger on Thursday signed a new batch of legislation centered on school safety, student well-being and expanded support systems in Virginia’s public schools, alongside measures addres...

NEW: Gov. Spanberger signs bipartisan bills into law focused on school safety, student mental health and public health.

Measures expand threat training, update internet safety and track school meal debt.

virginiamercury.com/2026/04/02/s...

Virginia civil rights leaders decry ‘misinformation’ in redistricting fight • Virginia Mercury Civil rights leaders in Virginia on Wednesday denounced a political campaign opposing the state’s April 21 redistricting referendum, accusing it of spreading misinformation and exploiting civil rights...

Va. civil rights leaders are calling out “misinformation” in the April 21 redistricting fight, incl. mailers using civil rights imagery and a misleading Obama quote.

New filings link millions behind the campaign to a Thiel-backed dark money group.

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Spanberger order, RNC lawsuit highlight divide over Virginia voter roll maintenance • Virginia Mercury With midterm elections approaching in Virginia, Republicans and Democrats are advancing competing strategies over how the state maintains its voter rolls, setting up an already familiar clash that is ...

NEW: Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s order on voter roll maintenance — including rejoining a multistate data-sharing system — is colliding with an RNC lawsuit over how the state identifies and removes ineligible voters.

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Inbox: Va. Republicans are calling for a 90-day suspension of the state’s gas tax, saying rising fuel prices are hitting families and urging Democrats to act.

GOP leaders say the roughly 32-cent-per-gallon tax could be paused using state reserves. #valeg

Virginia Democratic veterans rally for ‘yes’ vote in redistricting referendum • Virginia Mercury House Speaker Don Scott, D-Portsmouth, on Wednesday brushed aside concerns about early voting trends in Virginia’s April 21 redistricting referendum, arguing that despite stronger turnout so far in Re...

NEW: Virginia Dems are brushing off early voting concerns in the April 21 redistricting referendum, even as GOP-leaning areas show stronger turnout.

House Speaker Don Scott, joined by veterans in Norfolk, says the numbers track past cycles — and predicts a win.

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Virginia joins national push for refunds after US Supreme Court voids Trump tariffs • Virginia Mercury Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones is pressing Congress to force refunds on billions of dollars in tariffs imposed under President Donald Trump, arguing the federal government must quickly repay busi...

NEW: Virginia AG Jay Jones joins national effort urging Congress to refund billions in tariffs after the Supreme Court struck down President Donald Trump’s use of emergency powers — saying Virginians shouldn’t be left footing the bill.

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Warner files for reelection, launching bid for fourth U.S. Senate term • Virginia Mercury U.S. Sen. Mark Warner formally launched his campaign for a fourth term this week, filing the paperwork and voter petitions required to appear on Virginia’s 2026 U.S. Senate ballot after a five-day swi...

NEW: Sen. Mark Warner has formally kicked off his campaign for a fourth term, filing more than 18,000 signatures to appear on Virginia’s 2026 U.S. Senate ballot.

The longtime Democrat faces primary challengers for the first time in his Senate career. #VASen

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The 10 most important things that happened in Virginia’s 2026 legislative session • Virginia Mercury Virginia lawmakers wrapped up the 2026 General Assembly session in dramatic fashion Saturday evening, adjourning their regular session without a budget deal after an unexpected dispute over data cente...

Virginia’s 2026 legislative session brought sweeping changes under a new Democratic trifecta — from gun control and redistricting to a $15 minimum wage and cannabis retail.

But a dispute over data center tax breaks left lawmakers without a budget deal.

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Five years after Virginia legalized adult-use cannabis, the General Assembly has approved legislation to finally create a retail market.

The Senate passed the bill 21–18 on Friday, the House just approved it by 64-32. If enacted, retail sales would begin Jan. 1, 2027. #valeg

Republican Del. Terry Austin and Democrat Del. Luke Torian — both heavyweights on House Appropriations — sharing a quick, bipartisan huddle on the House floor. #valeg

Chesterfield schools closing for the April 21 special election because “robust turnout” is expected for Virginia’s redistricting referendum.

Nothing says civic enthusiasm like canceling school for a ballot question most voters still can’t explain. 😬
#valeg

Clock ticking on Virginia budget as Democrats clash over data center tax break • Virginia Mercury With just days remaining in the 2026 legislative session, Virginia lawmakers are running out of time to reach agreement on a new two-year state budget, even as Democrats control the governor’s office ...

NEW: Virginia lawmakers are racing to finalize the state budget before Saturday’s adjournment, but talks are stalled over data center tax break.

Gov. Spanberger says data centers should “pay their fair share,” but the state must honor existing agreements.

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‘Grow up’: Former Republican delegate defends civil-rights-themed mailers in redistricting fight • Virginia Mercury The political storm over a mailer campaign invoking civil rights era imagery in Virginia’s redistricting referendum fight intensified Tuesday as Black conservatives stepped forward to defend the messa...

“Grow up!”

Former Del. A.C. Cordoza defends controversial civil-rights-themed mailers opposing Virginia’s redistricting referendum Tuesday as Black conservatives joined the fight.

Democrats blasted the tactic as misleading and “stupid.” #valeg

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NEW: I just learned that the PAC behind the controversial mailers invoking civil rights imagery in Virginia’s redistricting referendum fight is led by former Del. A.C. Cordoza, according to the group’s treasurer.

He sent me the statement below:

Civil rights imagery in anti-redistricting mailers draws outrage in Virginia • Virginia Mercury A shadowy political action committee opposing Virginia’s April 21 redistricting referendum is facing sharp criticism after sending mailers to voters over the weekend that invoke imagery and language f...

A controversial mailer campaign opposing Virginia’s redistricting referendum is drawing backlash for using civil rights imagery and references to Jim Crow.

Critics say the materials mislead voters, while the PAC behind them has little public footprint.

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‘Unprecedented times:’ Virginia Democrats defend redistricting referendum as early voting begins • Virginia Mercury As early voting began Friday for Virginia’s closely watched redistricting referendum, Democratic leaders pushed back against claims that the proposal would open the door to future partisan map-drawing...

NEW: Early voting is now underway in Virginia’s redistricting referendum.

Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., calls the proposal a temporary response “to counter the tyranny that Donald Trump has unleashed.”

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Virginia joins multistate lawsuit challenging Trump administration over new global tariffs • Virginia Mercury Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones joined more than 20 Democratic-led states Thursday in suing President Donald Trump’s administration over a new round of sweeping tariffs, arguing the president is a...

NEW: Virginia AG Jay Jones has joined more than 20 states in suing the Trump administration over new global tariffs of up to 15% on imported goods.

The suit argues the president is imposing sweeping taxes on Americans without congressional approval.

virginiamercury.com/2026/03/05/v...

Obama, Spanberger welcome Virginia Supreme Court ruling allowing redistricting vote • Virginia Mercury A ruling by the Supreme Court of Virginia allowing early voting to move forward in the state’s redistricting referendum has quickly reverberated beyond Richmond, drawing praise from former President B...

NEW: Former President Barack Obama and Gov. Abigail Spanberger welcome a Virginia Supreme Court ruling allowing early voting to begin Friday in the state’s redistricting referendum as Republicans mobilize opposition.

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