Editor, Gazette-Journal:

I want to thank the Mathews Branch of the NAACP for their very informative town hall, “Understanding the Redistricting Referendum, Getting to Yes.” Speakers provided background on the redistricting efforts set in motion by Donald Trump in Republican-led states, the history of gerrymandering as a political maneuver to draw districts in which politicians rather than the voters decided the vote, and what is at stake.

Code Section 6.2. states, “The ballot shall contain the following question: “Question: 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?” This ballot measure restores fairness to elections that Donald Trump is attempting to control through continued false assertions that state controlled elections are rigged and, as a result, necessitate federal government control. Our founding fathers were painfully aware of the tyranny of a monarch and created a democracy based on three branches of government.

Donald Trump is running rough shod over both the legislative and judicial branches of government. He has now started a war in the Middle East without congressional approval. It is up the voters to stop him.

Fellow Virginians, let’s honor the spirit of our founding fathers at this 250th juncture in history and vote Yes on March 6, 2026.

Butler Knight
Cobbs Creek, Va.