Democrats hold on to Virginia House, a win for the future of abortion and LGBTQ+ rights

November 5, 2025

Virginia Democrats successfully retained control of both the state House of Delegates and Senate in recent elections, expanding their House majority while a Democratic gubernatorial candidate also won. This legislative control enables Democrats to advance four proposed constitutional amendments for voter consideration, including measures protecting reproductive rights, marriage equality, voting rights restoration for former felons, and allowing mid-decade congressional redistricting in response to actions by other states. These amendments require approval in two separate legislative sessions before appearing on the ballot, and the Democratic victories make passage likely.

Who is affected

Virginia voters who will decide on constitutional amendments
Virginia Democrats who gained/maintained legislative control
Virginia Republicans who lost the House of Delegates races
Abigail Spanberger, the Democratic gubernatorial candidate who won
People who would benefit from reproductive rights protections
Same-sex, interracial, and inter-gender couples seeking marriage protections
People who have completed felony sentences and would have voting rights restored
Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee President Heather Williams

What action is being taken

No explicit ongoing actions are described in the article. The election results are reported as projections, and the constitutional amendments were advanced earlier this year but require future legislative approval before reaching voters.

Why it matters

This election is significant because it gives Virginia Democrats a "trifecta" (control of both legislative chambers and the governorship), allowing them to advance progressive constitutional amendments without Republican obstruction. The results will likely place major policy questions—including abortion rights, marriage equality, and voting rights—directly before Virginia voters as soon as next year. The outcome also represents a rejection of what Democrats characterize as the "MAGA agenda" and establishes Virginia as a counterweight to Republican policies at the federal level during a period Democrats describe as characterized by "chaos and dysfunction."

What's next

Democrats must approve the constitutional amendments a second time in the legislature before they can appear on the ballot
Voters could weigh in on the proposed amendments as soon as next year
Democrats will use their trifecta to advance their broader policy agenda

Read full article from source: The 19th