Story perspectives

Judge voids Virginia referendum, blocks Democratic redistricting win

4/25/2026

Summary

Story summary

A Tazewell County Circuit Court judge declared the April 21, 2026 referendum—passed by three points and set to give Democrats control of Virginia’s congressional districts—unconstitutional and void ab initio, blocking certification.
Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones will appeal the injunction while the Republican National Committee, which sued, said ballot process violated state law.
The Virginia Supreme Court set Monday oral arguments on the broader redistricting challenge tied to the referendum.

History

Historical Context

After the Supreme Court’s 5-4 ruling in Shaw v. Reno (June 28 1993) struck down North Carolina’s 12th district as an unconstitutional racial gerrymander, later cases like Cooper v. Harris (2017) reaffirmed that standard. Though Rucho v. Common Cause (2019) barred review of partisan maps, 2026 Virginia referendum backed by Republican National Committee and challenged by Attorney General Jay Jones may be invalidated under Shaw v. Reno precedent.

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Story summary

A Tazewell County Circuit Court judge declared the April 21, 2026 referendum—passed by three points and set to give Democrats control of Virginia’s congressional districts—unconstitutional and void ab initio, blocking certification.
Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones will appeal the injunction while the Republican National Committee, which sued, said ballot process violated state law.
The Virginia Supreme Court set Monday oral arguments on the broader redistricting challenge tied to the referendum.

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