NAACP Turns up the Heat in Fight to Protect Virginia Representation Ahead of the April 21st Election
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 13, 2026
Contact: Chyna Fields, cfields@naacpnet.org
RICHMOND — In the last week ahead of a key election,the NAACP and the NAACP Virginia State Conference initiate the final mobilization efforts for Virginia's redistricting referendum, urging all eligible voters to vote Yes on the Proposed Amendment for the April 21st Special Election.
Kicked off in March, NAACP's full-spectrum mobilization campaign in Virginia is expected to reach 144,000+ voters by activating 200+ volunteers, making it the only national, Black-led organization involved in these efforts. Ahead of the 2026 midterm election cycle, the NAACP will be investing millions of dollars into Black voter mobilization across the country, with Virginia being the first stop in its campaign.
The Association's campaign in the state builds off of three consecutive years of investment into the commonwealth growing the NAACP field operation in Virginia, combining direct voter contact, trusted messenger networks, other national organizations, faith and youth engagement, paid media, legal advocacy, and election protection to protect Virginia's representation.
"This vote is about more than maps, it is about whether Virginians will hold extremist leaders accountable for the high gas prices, skyrocketing healthcare costs, the cost of living, and attacks on our democracy," said Derrick Johnson, President and CEO, NAACP. "The Trump administration has tried to rewrite our history, cut public education, erase civil rights protections, and fire thousands of federal workers. And now they want to weaken our votes. The NAACP will not stand by while Trump and his allies seek to reshape the role of government to serve the wealthy few. Virginia is our line in the sand, and we will hold it."
Even as the Association has intensified its efforts in the state, so too have the efforts of those seeking to rob Virginians of their representation through a coordinated misinformation campaign targeting Black Virginians with deceptive, racially charged flyers, mailers, and billboards.
"Let us be absolutely clear: the flyers and mailers showing up in Black communities across Virginia are lies," said Rev. Cozy Bailey, President, NAACP Virginia State Conference. "They are part of a deliberate disinformation campaign designed to confuse, deceive, and suppress the Black vote. Do not believe them. Do not share them. And do not let them stop you from voting. Our communities are being targeted precisely because our votes are powerful. If the right to vote didn't matter, extremist lawmakers wouldn't be working this hard to rob us of it. They are afraid of what happens when Black Virginia shows up — so we're going to show up louder than ever."
NAACP's full-spectrum mobilization efforts in Virginia include:
- Direct Voter Contact - A high-volume phone banking and canvassing program activating 200+ statewide NAACP volunteers and local activists reaching over 70,000 households.
- Youth & College Mobilization - A dedicated Youth & College Week of Action (April 13-18) includes "Dorm Storm" campus canvassing, a "Party to the Polls" at Virginia Commonwealth University, and an Instagram Live event featuring NAACP General Counsel Kristen Clarke.
- Faith Community & Divine Nine Engagement – Working with faith-based and affinity organizations, calling for pulpit engagement and congregational mobilization around the referendum, and providing toolkits to turn out the vote.
- Voter Education Town Halls – NAACP leaders across the state have continued to host local town halls educating voters about the initiative, its implications on both the national level and within the Commonwealth; a tactic that the VA State Conference has continued since the 2024 Election Cycle and sustained in the fight against Project 2025.
- Direct Mail – Atargeted mail program reaching nearly 100,000 Virginia households.
- Trusted Messenger & Media Training - State conference leaders, local branch presidents, clergy, youth representatives, and partner spokespeople are receiving toolkits and media training to deliver clear, consistent YES messaging, and push back on mis and dis-information.
- Election Protection - Virtual and physical command centers will be operational during the final days of early voting and on Election Day to track issues in real time, coordinate rapid legal response, and deploy volunteers in over 75 priority precincts.
For more information on NAACP's civic engagement work, visit naacp.org/vote or contact communications@naacpnet.org with questions.
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About NAACP
The NAACP advocates, agitates, and litigates for the civil rights due to Black America. Our legacy is built on the foundation of grassroots activism by the biggest civil rights pioneers of the 20th century and is sustained by 21st century activists. From classrooms and courtrooms to city halls and Congress, our network of members across the country works to secure the social and political power that will end race-based discrimination. That work is rooted in racial equity, civic engagement, and supportive policies and institutions for all marginalized people. We are committed to a world without racism where Black people enjoy equitable opportunities in thriving communities.