Story perspectives

Virginia Supreme Court Keeps Redistricting Vote Blocked

4/29/2026

Summary

Story summary

Virginia's highest court denied Attorney General Jay Jones's request to lift the certification block.
The Supreme Court left the lower-court injunction in place, halting result certification.
The April 21 referendum passed with 51.33% support for a mid-decade redistricting amendment.
Republicans claim the amendment's first legislative approval occurred after early voting began, violating the constitution.
If the injunction remains, the 2020 congressional maps will stay for the November midterms.

History

Historical Context

The 1962 Supreme Court ruling in Baker v. Carr, authored by Chief Justice Earl Warren and decided 6-2, declared legislative apportionment justiciable and launched the “one person, one vote” era that forced states to redraw districts after decades of neglect. Decades later, the Virginia Supreme Court invoked that precedent to block a 2024 redistricting amendment, keeping the 2020 congressional map for the November election.

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Story summary

Virginia's highest court denied Attorney General Jay Jones's request to lift the certification block.
The Supreme Court left the lower-court injunction in place, halting result certification.
The April 21 referendum passed with 51.33% support for a mid-decade redistricting amendment.
Republicans claim the amendment's first legislative approval occurred after early voting began, violating the constitution.
If the injunction remains, the 2020 congressional maps will stay for the November midterms.

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