MANASSAS, VA – Voters in Prince William County turned out for the April 21 special redistricting referendum, and supported redistricting more than their fellow Virginians.
According to unofficial results from the Virginia Department of Elections, voter turnout in the county was 43 percent and Prince William County voters solidly supported the referendum, with 63 percent of voters voting in favor of temporarily redrawing Congressional districts.
However, results different greatly across precincts. Out of 103 precincts, 17 voted against the referendum.
The strongest results for those opposed to the redistricting plan were in Brentsville, where 74 percent of voters opposed it, and Evergreen and Catharpin, where 67 percent of voters were opposed.
Redistricting support was most powerful in Commons, where 90 percent of voters were in favor, followed by Markham with 87 percent voting yes and Powells Creek, Potomac and Williams all with 86 percent in favor.
With the passage of the referendum, Virginia's General Assembly can now bypass the standard 10-year redistricting cycle and draw new districts. Supporters of the referendum say it will allow the state to respond to partisan redistricting efforts in Republican-led states. Redrawing Virginia's districts could give Democrats several more seats in the US House of Representatives.
Opponents of the measure decried it as partisan gerrymandering and tampering with constitutional controls.
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