{"id":2593324,"date":"2026-04-21T13:35:02","date_gmt":"2026-04-21T17:35:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/brazenly-dishonest-campaign-slogans-like-the-ones-used-by-dems-to-gerrymander-va-dont-belong-on-ballots\/"},"modified":"2026-04-21T13:39:06","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T17:39:06","slug":"brazenly-dishonest-campaign-slogans-like-the-ones-used-by-dems-to-gerrymander-va-dont-belong-on-ballots","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/brazenly-dishonest-campaign-slogans-like-the-ones-used-by-dems-to-gerrymander-va-dont-belong-on-ballots\/","title":{"rendered":"Campaign Slogans Don\u2019t Belong On Ballots"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">12<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fbrazenly-dishonest-campaign-slogans-like-the-ones-used-by-dems-to-gerrymander-va-dont-belong-on-ballots%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2593324&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The piece argues that Virginia\u2019s redistricting referendum exposes a common flaw: partisan officials often write ballot language, using flattering or charged wording that can mislead voters. It notes that some states require ballot summaries to be clear, impartial, and focused on the proposal\u2019s chief purpose, with expedited review by the state\u2019s highest court; Virginia\u2019s current wording-about \u201ctemporarily adopting new congressional districts to restore fairness\u201d-could disproportionately advantage Democrats, potentially altering who controls the U.S. house. The Washington Post even described the language as a \u201ceuphemism for the ages.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>The article compares Virginia with states like Michigan, Florida, and Colorado, which have laws to curb partisan ballot language, while others-Mississippi, Tennessee, and West Virginia among them-leave framing largely to the party in power. it argues that politicized language undermines public trust and that neutral,plain-english summaries are essential,noting research that positively framed language can sway undecided voters. While Virginia\u2019s referendum results may be close, the piece urges broader reforms: pass statutes (not constitutional amendments) to create bipartisan ballot-language review commissions that translate legal text into neutral summaries, with expedited review by the state supreme court to ensure neutrality. it provides background on Virginia\u2019s 2020 move to create a bipartisan redistricting commission, the subsequent map drawn by the court, and the current push to amend the constitution despite judicial and partisan tensions.The author concludes that ballot-language reform is a straightforward, nonpartisan way to restore public trust and fairness.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>The redistricting referendum in Virginia today exposes a flaw found in other states too: Partisan politicians are allowed to write ballot language. Predictably, they use flattering verbs and politically charged nouns that can mislead voters.<\/p>\n<p>Some states have created laws to avoid this problem, requiring ballot language to be clear, impartial, and state its chief purpose, subject to expedited review by the state supreme court.<\/p>\n<p>The ballot language of Virginia&rsquo;s referendum asks whether the state should amend its constitution to let the General Assembly &ldquo;temporarily adopt new congressional districts to restore fairness in the upcoming elections.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>In truth, Democrats&rsquo; plan to &ldquo;restore fairness&rdquo; could give Democrats control of the U.S. House by granting Republicans only one of the commonwealth&rsquo;s 11 House seats in a state where President Donald Trump won 46 percent of the vote in 2024. <\/p>\n<p>Even The Washington Post editorial board <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/opinions\/2026\/03\/12\/virginia-gerrymander-ballot-initiative-fairness\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">called<\/a> the unfair ballot language a &ldquo;euphemism for the ages.&rdquo; According to The Post, &ldquo;Democratic politicians are presenting the proposed amendment to voters in the most brazenly dishonest way imaginable.&rdquo; <\/p>\n<p>Democrats may counter that their redistricting proposal in Virginia is in response to gerrymandering in other states, but that doesn&rsquo;t excuse biased ballots.<\/p>\n<p>Some states, including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.michigan.gov\/sos\/elections\/bsc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Michigan<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leg.state.fl.us\/statutes\/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&amp;URL=0100-0199\/0101\/Sections\/0101.161.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Florida<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/csos.granicus.com\/MetaViewer.php?clip_id=450&amp;meta_id=14314&amp;view_id=1&amp;utm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Colorado<\/a>, have laws in place to avoid partisan language on ballots, such as requiring expedited state supreme court review. In contrast, in Virginia &mdash; and other states such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sos.ms.gov\/content\/documents\/ed_pubs\/pubs\/Mississippi_Constitution.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Mississippi<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/publications.tnsosfiles.com\/pub\/2023%20TN%20Constitution.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tennessee<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wvlegislature.gov\/wvcode\/wv_con.cfm?lv=true\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">West Virginia<\/a> &mdash; the party controlling the legislature can heavily influence how referendum questions are framed.<\/p>\n<h2>Shaping Outcome, Destroying Trust<\/h2>\n<p>Politicized ballot language further corrodes the public&rsquo;s trust. Americans deserve a true description of what a proposal would actually do, not to be misled at the last moment. Research has <a href=\"https:\/\/journalistsresource.org\/politics-and-government\/state-ballot-questions-power-wording-experiment-framing-issues\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">found<\/a> that positively framed language can move undecided voters.  <\/p>\n<p>Polling shows Virginia&rsquo;s referendum results could be <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/polls\/virginia-redistricting-referendum-polls-2026.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">close<\/a>. Democrats&rsquo; ballot language may have its intended effect: Earlier this month, Keren Charles Dongo, campaign manager for Virginians for Fair Elections, the main pro-redistricting campaign in the state, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wric.com\/news\/politics\/capitol-connection\/redistricting-yes-campaign-voter-turnout\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">noted<\/a> that even though Republicans show higher turnout in early voting, the &ldquo;Yes&rdquo; campaign is leading in early voting.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Independents&rsquo; voting might explain it: Polls show they are more <a href=\"https:\/\/bluevirginia.us\/2026\/04\/state-navigate-poll-on-virginia-redistricting-referendum-yes-51-no-45\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">split<\/a> on the measure, while 95 percent of Republicans are voting no and 92 percent of Democrats are voting yes. But perhaps <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-hhs-pick-xavier-becerra-rejected-request-to-bring-humanitarian-aid-on-1996-cuba-trip-to-meet-castro-report\/\" title=\"Biden HHS Pick Xavier Becerra Rejected Request To Bring Humanitarian Aid On 1996 Cuba Trip To Meet Castro: Report\">misleading ballot language<\/a> is confusing some voters too. After all, a Republican voting for the measure is voting for many Republicans to lose their representation in the House. My own district would likely <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbsnews.com\/news\/virginia-referendum-redistricting-democrats-10-1-congressional-map\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">flip<\/a> from majority Republican to majority Democrat.<\/p>\n<h2>Simple Proposal<\/h2>\n<p>With Democrats controlling Virginia&rsquo;s executive and legislative branches, the state is unlikely to change who writes ballot language soon (28 House Republicans cosponsored such a <a href=\"https:\/\/legiscan.com\/VA\/bill\/HB1419\/2026\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">bill<\/a> this year, but it didn&rsquo;t make it out of committee). However, other states should act while they may. Of course, Democrats won&rsquo;t want biased ballots used against them when they&rsquo;re in the minority.<\/p>\n<p>Ballot-language reform could be enacted by ordinary <a href=\"https:\/\/csos.granicus.com\/MetaViewer.php?clip_id=450&amp;meta_id=14314&amp;view_id=1&amp;utm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">statute<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/legiscan.com\/VA\/text\/HB1419\/2026\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">not<\/a> constitutional amendment, thus lowering the threshold of votes needed.<\/p>\n<p>States should create bipartisan ballot-language review commissions charged with drafting concise, neutral summaries for statewide referenda. Each commission&rsquo;s mandate would be solely to translate legal text into plain English &mdash; no persuasive adjectives, claims of motive, or predictions of benefit. The commission&rsquo;s work should then <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/no-religious-group-is-safe-from-government-control-scotus-makes-yeshiva-university-return-to-ny-court-forces-acceptance-of-lgbtq-club\/\" title=\"\u2018No Religious Group Is Safe From Government Control\u2019: SCOTUS Makes Yeshiva University Return To NY ..., Forces Acceptance Of LGBTQ Club\">receive expedited review<\/a> by the state supreme court, which would only ensure neutrality and compliance with statutory standards.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Background<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Keeping ballot language nonpartisan is an easier task than redistricting, as it involves simply using plain English.<\/p>\n<p>In 2020, Virginians gave 66 percent approval to a constitutional amendment to create a bipartisan, 16-member redistricting <a href=\"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/title30\/chapter62\/section30-397\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">commission<\/a>. But it <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vpm.org\/news\/2023-10-19\/virginia-redistricting-elections-map-work-voter-guide\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">couldn&rsquo;t<\/a> agree on a map, so, as required by the 2020 amendment, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/supreme-court-orders-biden-admin-to-reinstate-trump-immigration-policy\/\" title=\"Supreme ... Orders Biden Admin To Reinstate Trump Immigration Policy\">supreme court stepped<\/a> in and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/opinion\/virginia-referendum-redistricting-map-democrats-barack-obama-donald-trump-ec863878?mod=Searchresults&amp;pos=1&amp;page=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">created<\/a> Virginia&rsquo;s current House map with the help of bipartisan experts.<\/p>\n<p>Now Democrats are seeking to get the new constitutional amendment approved Tuesday. Republicans in Virginia attempted to have the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/state-supreme-court-shuts-down-attempt-to-surveil-citizens-using-aircraft-and-zoom-lenses\/\" title=\"... Blocks Aerial and Zoom Lens Surveillance of Citizens\">state supreme court block<\/a> the current referendum, challenging both ballot language and constitutionality. The court <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2026\/04\/15\/politics\/virginia-redistricting-republican-opponents-rural-voters\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">chose<\/a> to let the referendum proceed before deciding the merits of the lawsuit, and it is unlikely to overturn an election after the fact. Virginia&rsquo;s supreme court members are appointed by both chambers of the legislature, making the judiciary more likely to defer to the legislature. A <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >law requiring expedited state supreme court review<\/a> of ballot language would avoid this problem.<\/p>\n<p>Democrats in Virginia currently have the balance of power in their favor, but ballot language should not be. Legislation to prevent misleading ballot language would help truly restore fairness.<\/p>\n<hr>\n<p>      Eleanor Bartow is the features editor at The Federalist. She was editor-in-chief of the American Enterprise Institute&rsquo;s magazine, an editor and investigative reporter at the Daily Caller, and a reporter for Congressional Quarterly. Her articles have been published with Fox News, The New York Times, Washington Examiner, The Hill, Real Clear Policy, and others. She received a Fulbright grant in journalism. Follow her on Twitter at <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/elliebartow\">@elliebartow<\/a>. Email: eleanor@thefederalist.com.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ballot wording biased by lawmakers needs reform<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":686,"featured_media":2593325,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2026_Virginia_redistricting_amendment_signs_advocating_for_and_against_more_close_of_a_picture-e1776778758262.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[546,33651],"tags":[78241,78240,78242,78243,78244],"class_list":["post-2593324","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-federalist","category-the-western-journal","tag-ballot-ethics","tag-campaign-slogans-2","tag-election-rules-2","tag-political-advertising-2","tag-voter-information-2"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2026_Virginia_redistricting_amendment_signs_advocating_for_and_against_more_close_of_a_picture-e1776778758262.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2593324","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/686"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2593324"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2593324\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2593328,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2593324\/revisions\/2593328"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2593325"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2593324"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2593324"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2593324"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}