RICHMOND, Oct. 28, 2025 — The Virginia Senate met Tuesday in a special session that centered on whether the General Assembly should take new action related to the state's constitutional amendment on redistricting, a move that drew sharply divided comments from senators over process and timing.

The governor placed a written communication on senators' desks from Gov. Glenn Youngkin criticizing the reconvening as an eleventh-hour attempt to "ram through a constitutional amendment." The Senate voted 19-16 to waive reading of that communication.

Why it matters: Senators debating the measure said any change could alter how Virginians' votes are reflected in future districting and that the timing — with more than a million Virginians having already cast ballots in the ongoing statewide election — raised questions about whether voters would have a fair chance to weigh in.

Several senators urged caution and defended the redistricting reforms adopted after the 2019 vote that created a hybrid citizen-legislator commission to draw maps. Senator Stanley of Franklin County said the commission's work was a deliberate, bipartisan reform and warned against abandoning it now: "What has happened to our redistricting reform commitments?" he asked, arguing the process increased competitiveness and trust.

Other senators said the special session does not repeal the existing amendment or draw maps now but would give the General Assembly an option to act in January if circumstances change. Senator Obenshane of Rockingham said the proposal on the table "does not get rid of the commission" and described the planned action as creating flexibility and preserving the voters' ultimate role in any final change.

Several senators also raised procedural concerns. Senator Peake of Lynchburg and Senator Cyphers of Prince Edward County noted that more than 1 million Virginians already have voted and said those voters had no advance notice of the proposed changes. Senator McDougall of Hanover said members had not been shown the specific bill language and warned against rushing a constitutional change before the public sees the text.

Other comments tied the session to national political developments and federal policy disputes. Senator Favola of Arlington framed some supporters' arguments as a response to federal decisions affecting Medicaid, SNAP and other services; she said constituents wanted additional avenues to influence governance amid what she described as urgent economic harm. Opponents cast the session as partisan: several senators accused national actors of seeking map changes to influence federal outcomes and urged Virginia to preserve its longstanding, bipartisan traditions.

Votes at a glance: The Senate took procedural and ceremonial actions while debating the special session topic. The chamber voted to waive reading of its journal (motion moved by the senator from Hanover, Senator McDougall; reading waived, tally not specified in the transcript). The Senate voted 19-16 to waive reading of the governor's communication. Memorial resolutions SR694'SR700 were agreed to in block after Senator Sorovel moved the block; Senate Resolution 700 was removed from the block "and bye for the day" at a senator's request. The Senate agreed to adjourn until 11 a.m. Wednesday.

What happens next: House and Senate leaders signaled bills will be introduced the following day and committee activity could follow. Several senators said the public had not seen the draft language and called for time for constituents to review any proposed amendment before further action. No map changes or final constitutional changes were enacted during Tuesday's sitting.

The session also included routine ceremonial matters and memorial resolutions. The Senate stood adjourned until 11 a.m. Wednesday.