Grottoes council unanimously adopts resolution opposing proposed Virginia congressional redistricting amendment

The Grottoes Town Council voted unanimously March 9 to adopt a resolution opposing a proposed Virginia congressional redistricting amendment.

The council’s action was introduced by Mayor Madison and carried after a motion, a second and a voice/hand-raise vote. Mayor Madison said the town "is opposed to the redistricting in our state." No individual vote tallies were recorded in the minutes other than the council signaling unanimous consent.

The vote followed public comment from Jocelyn Heidengardner, who identified herself as representing the Rockingham County Republican Committee and urged residents to vote no on the state amendment. Heidengardner said the plan would split Rockingham and Augusta counties among multiple congressional districts and could result in parts of the area being represented by Fairfax. "This is a very, very critical vote," she told the council, urging neighbors to come out and vote.

Why it matters: the resolution formalizes the town council’s local stance on a statewide redistricting proposal and records local concern about how boundary changes could affect representation. The council did not state any follow-up action beyond adopting the resolution.

The council also approved other routine motions during the meeting, including finance items and equipment disposals; details are in a separate votes summary.