April 2026 Special Election Results: Floyd County votes against Constitutional referendum that would allow redistricting
About half of the votes recorded for the Special Election were cast before Election Day. A total of 3,120 residents voted during the Early Voting period, which began in March, and 3,601 voters showed up to the polls on Tuesday.
Tuesday's Special Election regarding a referendum to the state Constitution and potential changes to Congressional representation saw a significant turn out of local voters — a total of 7,158, which is 58% of those registered in Floyd County.
According to the Virginia Department of Elections, which reported preliminary results across the state on Tuesday night, about 5,055 (70.6%) of Floyd County voters cast ballots against the referendum and districting changes it would bring. About 2,101 (29.4%) cast their vote in support of the change.
About half of the votes recorded for the Special Election were cast before Election Day. A total of 3,120 residents voted during the Early Voting period, which began in March, and 3,601 voters showed up to the polls on Tuesday.
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Paul Kitchen, who serves as both chairman for the Floyd County Electoral Board and as director for the Southern District of the Virginia Electoral Board Association, said "high media coverage about the amendment" has helped drive voter participation.
The referendum in question asked voters to decide if the General Assembly should be allowed to redistrict the Commonwealth outside of its regular 10-year schedule and in time for the 2026 elections. While not a permanent change, if approved, the redistricting would be in place for the rest of the decade, including the 2028 elections.
While the proposed map doesn't impact Floyd's place in the 9th Congressional District, it does increase the size of the district, specifically expanding it to include the counties of Roanoke (partial), Botetourt, Bedford (partial), Alleghany, Augusta (partial), Bath, Highland, and Rockbridge. It also changes some of the lines in Montgomery County.
The resulting ratio of Democrat to Republican representation on the state level would be 10-1, a significant change from its current 6-5.
Other Results
As of Tuesday night, Election Day results from counties that would be impacted by the referendum were as follows:
Alleghany — No | 4,417 (77.6%); Yes | 1,276 (22.4%)
Augusta — Reporting
Bath — No | 1,499 (81.1%); Yes | 350 (18.9%)
Bedford — Reporting
Botetourt — No | 12,697 (76.1%); Yes | 3,986 (23.9%)
Highland — No | 876 (76.5%); Yes | 269 (23.5%)
Montgomery — Reporting
Roanoke — No | 25,685 (64.1%); Yes | 14,412 (35.9%)
Rockbridge — No | 7.039 (72.1%); Yes | 2,719 (27.9%)
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Results from other neighboring counties were:
Carroll — No | 9,688 (84.3%); Yes | 1,800 (15.7%)
Franklin — No | 17,647 (76.4%); Yes | 5,453 (23.6%)
Patrick — No | 5,702 (82.9%); Yes | 1,180 (17.1%)
Pulaski — No | 9,251 (75.5%); Yes | 2,998 (24.5%)
Sources: Virginia Public Access Project and the Virginia Department of Elections
This article will be updated with more commentary from local officials throughout the end of the week.
