Fast Forward 04/24/2026

Bill —

Just a few years ago, Virginia voters took an important step toward fairer elections. In 2020, they approved a redistricting reform that created a bipartisan citizen-legislator commission to draw political maps, with the goal of reducing partisan influence and increasing transparency.

Tuesday’s election results show how fragile that progress can be.

Voters approved a new measure that will once again change how congressional maps are drawn in Virginia ahead of the 2026 election. That opens the door for lawmakers to redraw district lines in ways that could significantly reshape the state’s congressional delegation. Some projections suggest the current 6–5 split could shift dramatically, with Democrats potentially holding as many as 10 of Virginia’s 11 seats.

Those kinds of outcomes are driven by how the lines are drawn. In some scenarios, densely populated urban and suburban areas in Northern Virginia could be combined with more rural regions in western and southwestern parts of the state, diluting competitive districts and making results more predictable.

We have seen this pattern before. In states like Texas, Republicans have drawn maps that strongly favor their party, locking in advantages for years at a time. Moves like this have led Democrats in other states to respond in kind, creating a cycle where each side redraws maps to counter the other rather than competing for voters.

At Forward, we oppose that, no matter who is doing it.

At the same time, it is important to acknowledge that not all of these situations are identical. In states like Virginia and California, voters were consulted and approved these changes. While we respectfully disagree with the outcome, we recognize that this approach is meaningfully different from situations in states like Texas, where maps have been imposed without that same level of voter input.

The real problem is not one party. It is the system itself. What is happening in Virginia reflects a broader cycle where redistricting is used to protect incumbents and lock in advantage. The result is a system with far too little competition. In recent election cycles, only about 30 to 40 out of 435 U.S. House races are considered truly competitive. Most districts are effectively safe seats where one party is overwhelmingly favored, and incumbents rarely lose, with reelection rates typically above 90 percent.

When elections are not competitive, accountability breaks down. And voters are noticing. According to the latest Gallup poll released this week, just 10 percent of Americans approve of Congress, while 86 percent disapprove, the lowest approval rating Gallup has ever recorded.

This is not a coincidence. When politicians pick their voters, general elections become predictable, independent voices struggle to compete, and incentives shift toward appealing to a narrow base instead of the broader public. That is not a healthy democracy. It is a closed system.

Forward has been clear from the beginning. We oppose partisan gerrymandering by anyone, anywhere. It does not matter whether it benefits Democrats in Virginia or Republicans in another state. The outcome is the same. Voters are left with fewer choices and a system that becomes less representative over time. That is why we support independent redistricting commissions that put voters first.

A better system would create more competitive districts, encourage candidates to speak to a broader range of voters, and reward problem solving instead of partisanship.

Virginia’s result is a reminder of what is at stake. Voters should choose their representatives. Elections should be competitive. Politicians should have to earn support, not engineer it.

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REMINDER: The next episode of The Forward Party Podcast is live!

Episode 8  – Lindsey Drath and Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey are joined by Forward National Communications Director John Goodwin for a thoughtful conversation on the growing momentum behind independent voters and what it really takes to challenge America’s entrenched two-party system. What starts as a discussion on political identity quickly expands into a deeper look at structural barriers, voter frustration, and the untapped potential sitting in plain sight across the country. At the center of the conversation is a striking reality: nearly half of Americans now identify as independents, yet the system itself makes it incredibly difficult for those voices to translate into representation. From closed primaries to limited ballot access, the episode breaks down how the current structure favors party insiders while leaving everyday voters on the outside.

We hope you enjoy! Don’t forget to let us know what you think.

Click the image below to watch.

ICYMI: The Forward Party Podcast – Behind the Scenes reel

May 20 – AAPI Committee Launch

May is AAPI Heritage Month

Join us as we officially launch the AAPI Committee on May 20th.We will be joined by Andrew Yang and other special guests  For more information and to RSVP, click here.

If you’re tired of waiting for the system to fix itself — this is your moment.
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As political divides deepen, a new party eyes local change in Horry County