Orange County is one of many localities where a majority of voters opposed the Commonwealth of Virginia’s redistricting referendum. About 64% of those casting a ballot in Orange County said “No” to the controversial proposal, while 36% voted in favor of it.
The question on the ballot was: “Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended to allow the General Assembly to temporarily adopt new congressional districts to restore fairness in the upcoming elections, while ensuring Virginia's standard redistricting process resumes for all future redistricting after the 2030 census?”
The referendum was the Democrat-controlled legislature’s response to blatant gerrymandering by the Republican-controlled legislature in Texas, efforts that President Donald Trump strongly encouraged. Since Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed the gerrymandered congressional districts into law last year, California, Virginia, and other states have entered the partisan fray.
Orange County registers a 53% voting turnout
Of Orange County’s 30,658 registered voters, 16,336 cast ballots in the referendum. According to Director of Elections and General Registrar Donna Harpold, “There was 53% turnout, which is comparable to a November general election depending on the election cycle.”
As for early voting, Harpold said, “Early voting started strong and continued steady throughout the six weeks” leading up to April 21, when polls were open across the county. “We surpassed the number of early voters we had in November by 76.”
Local voting went smoothly overall, she said. “Voting tended to be quick since it was a single question. Voters were opinionated and very vocal. However, we did not have any disturbances that were reported to me.”
Of 71 provisional ballots, 68 of them qualified for inclusion in the final tally, Harpold said.
A look at voting by precinct is always interesting. Of Orange County’s 12 precincts, there were five where at least 70% of the voters opposed redistricting.
Precinct 103 in District 1 (Gordonsville Town Hall) was the only one in the county where the majority, 53%, voted in favor of the proposed amendment (280 yes; 252 no). The only other local precinct where the “yes” votes made a strong showing was District 3’s Precinct 303 (Prospect Heights Middle School, Orange), with 48% in favor (702 yes; 773 no).
Leading the pack of naysayers was Precinct 202 East in District 2 (Mine Run Volunteer Fire Department), where 81% of the voters said “No” to redistricting (356 yes, 1,484 no).
In Precinct 401 West in District 4 (Locust Grove Elementary School), the tally also tilted sharply against redistricting, with 74% opposed (441 yes, 1,259 no).
Across the commonwealth, the vote was close, but the proposed amendment passed by a margin of more than 100,000 votes (with 52% in favor). Redistricting plans are in limbo, however, as Republicans try to block the referendum results in the courts.
Orange County referendum results
BOS announces public hearings on tax rates
It’s that time of year when the Orange County Board of Supervisors wrestles with budgetary needs and tax rates for the coming fiscal year. If you want to voice your opinion on tax rates, sign up to speak during one of the two public hearings scheduled for the Board of Supervisors’ special meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5—or submit a comment in writing.
For information on the proposed tax rates for Fiscal Year 2027, click the PDF below.
Young Visions showcases Orange County’s up-and-coming artists
The Arts Center in Orange is once again hosting the annual Young Visions Art Show by students from the Orange County Public Schools and Grymes Memorial School. There are all kinds of intriguing drawings, paintings, and ceramic works in the exhibition. I was especially impressed by the detailed portraits and the playful spirit of the works by the kindergarten and elementary school artists.
The exhibit is on display in the Morin Gallery. The Arts Center’s hours are 12-8 p.m., Wednesday-Friday, and 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday.
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