Aila Boyd
aboyd@mainstreetnewspapers.com
Virginia voters approved a proposed constitutional amendment during the April 21 special election, with 51.45% voting in favor and 48.55% opposed, as of the Wednesday morning press time.
The measure received 1,574,509 “Yes” votes statewide, compared with 1,485,657 “No” votes.
In Salem, however, voters rejected the amendment by a wide margin. Of the 8,601 ballots cast — representing a 47% turnout among the city’s 18,124 registered voters — 62.65%, or 5,388 votes, were opposed, while 37.35%, or 3,212 votes, supported the measure.
The ballot asked whether the Constitution of Virginia should be amended to allow the General Assembly to temporarily adopt new congressional districts “to restore fairness in the upcoming elections,” while ensuring the state’s standard redistricting process resumes for all future redistricting after the 2030 census.
Compared to the statewide outcome, Salem voters opposed the amendment at a significantly higher rate.
Early voting for the election took place at the Salem General Registrar’s Office from March 6 through April 17, with additional Saturday hours offered April 11 and April 18. Voters also had the option to cast absentee ballots by mail or drop them off at designated locations, including the Salem Civic Center Community Room lobby on Election Day.
All Salem precincts voted at the Salem Civic Center, with polls open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Same-day registration was available for voters who missed the April 14 registration deadline, though those ballots were cast provisionally and counted after the election if accepted.
The results are unofficial and will become final after local election boards certify them.
