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Virginia Voters Approve 10-1 Map; Trump Decries, Obama Praises

4/28/2026

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Virginia Voters Approve

U.S. President Donald Trump denounced referendum as unconstitutional, while former President Barack Obama praised Virginia voters for protecting democratic representation.
Virginia voters approved a 10-1 congressional map, prompting the Virginia Supreme Court to hear arguments on blocking its implementation.
A Tazewell County judge issued a preliminary injunction halting certification, prompting the state to appeal.
Implementation could add up to four Democratic seats, helping offset Republican gerrymandering gains elsewhere.

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Supreme Court Blocks

Former Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli said the referendum wording violated Virginia’s plain-English rule and was extremely misleading.
The Virginia Supreme Court heard arguments on blocking the redistricting map, leaving implementation pending and a decision expected by May.
Republicans allege the Assembly broke amendment rules by ballot timing and an improper special session.
Democrats say the amendment met all constitutional steps, noting voters approved it 51.6% to 48.4%.

History

Historical Context

1986 Supreme Court decision Davis v. Bandemer ruled partisan gerrymandering justiciable, noting Democrats earned 51.9% of votes but only 43 of 100 seats. The Court never crafted a clear test, and later cases such as Vieth (2004) and Rucho (2019) left the issue largely non-justiciable. The 2022 Virginia map referendum, praised by Barack Obama and condemned by Donald Trump, revives the Bandemer debate.

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Virginia Voters Approve

U.S. President Donald Trump denounced referendum as unconstitutional, while former President Barack Obama praised Virginia voters for protecting democratic representation.
Virginia voters approved a 10-1 congressional map, prompting the Virginia Supreme Court to hear arguments on blocking its implementation.
A Tazewell County judge issued a preliminary injunction halting certification, prompting the state to appeal.
Implementation could add up to four Democratic seats, helping offset Republican gerrymandering gains elsewhere.

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