Voter turnout for Virginia constitutional amendments transcended partisanship

Good morning from The Mercury.

By Charlotte Rene Woods

As Democrats nationwide and in Virginia flipped partisan control of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate, three civil rights-based state constitutional amendments prevailed across party lines. 

The statewide ballot referendums asked voters if they wanted to enshrine reproductive rights, same-sex marriage protections and voting rights restoration for formerly incarcerated people into Virginia’s Constitution. The answer was a resounding “yes,” with roughly 60% of voters backing each amendment. 

By Markus Schmidt

Republican state Sen. Bryce Reeves of Spotsylvania wants the Virginia Senate to investigate Democratic Sen. Louise Lucas of Portsmouth and consider expelling her after federal prosecutors accused her of using her legislative influence to benefit a cannabis business she co-owns. 

Reeves prefiled Senate Resolution 173 on Oct. 30 for the 2027 General Assembly session, which is scheduled to begin in January. 

The measure would direct the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections to examine allegations behind five federal charges against Lucas, including racketeering, marijuana distribution, money laundering and honest-services fraud conspiracies, and maintaining drug-involved premises. 

By Shannon Heckt

In downtown Richmond outside the State Corporation Commission, dozens of protestors shouted their opposition to the NextEra-Dominion Energy merger, as public testimony in the case proceeded inside the SCC courtroom. 

Some demonstrators held aloft effigies of the three SCC commissioners, while others gave speeches outlining their concerns about the deal, saying it would create a monopoly and urging commissioners to reject the $67 billion proposal.

“This is trickle up capitalism. And we are seeing people suffer,” said Rev. Daniel Ray Wilson outside the SCC doors. “While people get richer, they do things that they don't even need to be doing, like buy islands, or dump millions upon millions into flying cars.” 

By Bob Lewis

Maybe the rest of America finally caught on to what Virginia has known for 10 years.

Voters handed Democrats a historic, sweeping victory not only in swing-state contests but in the most reliably Republican states Tuesday. And the reason is unambiguous: President Donald Trump.

Welcome aboard. We in the Old Dominion have been waiting for you.

I can hear the dissent now. Oh, you’re just a blue state filled with heathen liberals, and that’s why y’all voted against President Trump each of the three times he’s been on your ballot. Y’all wouldn’t know how to vote any other way than Democrat.

By Jennifer Shutt

Democratic leaders in Congress have just a couple months to decide how they want to balance investigations into President Donald Trump and his administration with securing his signature on major bills to address the cost of living, a top concern for voters.

While Democrats gained control of the House and Senate in this year’s midterm elections, the party won’t hold veto-proof margins when the new session of Congress begins in early January. That will require congressional leaders and the president to find compromise on legislation.

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