The VAratifyERA strategy for General Assembly is best described as an electoral strategy through November 5th to be followed by a legislative strategy.

The VAratifyERA strategy for General Assembly is best described as an electoral strategy through November 5th to be followed by a legislative strategy.

Electoral Strategy

Because of the experience in the General Assembly 2019, advocates do not believe the Equal Rights Amendment will be ratified by Virginia until there is a change in House leadership. As an “aggressively nonpartisan” campaign that had strong bipartisan support in the Senate, this turn of events was disappointing, particularly since initial meetings with the Speaker’s office had looked promising.

To address the required change in leadership the campaign looked at the House of Delegates election this November analytically and on Friday, June 14th, the VAratifyERA kicked off the 20/20 Vision for Equality strategy by listing of 20 key districts in the House of Delegates. Campaign members believe these are the closest races this November. Ten of the seats are currently held by Democrats and the other ten are held by Republicans. The net result of the election on these twenty districts will determine whether or not the Equal Rights Amendment will move to the floor of the House of Delegates during General Assembly 2020. 

Beginning Monday, June 17th, the campaign will highlight a district per day with a graphic identifying the candidates, whether an incumbent voted yes/no on HR 274, and why the race is on the list. The list includes newly / very competitive races as a result of redistricting, races that were very close during the 2017 elections, and swing districts.