The Tazewell Circuit Court ruled that Virginia’s redistricting move is unconstitutional.
The court declared that the legislation violates numerous laws and submitted to voters a “flagrantly misleading question.” Describing numerous other flaws with the legislation and its voting process, the order declares that “any and all votes for or against the proposed constitutional amendment in the April 21, 2026 special election are ineffective.”
The court further concluded that the redistricting would irreparably harm lawmakers.
“Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended to allow the General Assembly to temporarily adopt new congressional districts to restore fairness in the upcoming elections, while ensuring Virginia’s standard redistricting process resumes for all future redistricting after the 2030 census?” the ballot measure asked.
President Trump said the measure’s initial approval was “rigged.”
“A RIGGED ELECTION TOOK PLACE LAST NIGHT IN THE GREAT COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA! All day long Republicans were winning, the Spirit was unbelievable, until the very end when, of course, there was a massive ‘Mail In Ballot Drop!’ Where have I heard that before — And the Democrats eked out another Crooked Victory!” he wrote on Truth Social on Wednesday. “Six to five goes to ten to one, and yet the Presidential Election in November was very close to a 50-50 split. In addition to everything else, the language on the Referendum was purposefully unintelligible and deceptive.”
Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones, a Democrat, announced his office would appeal the decision. “An activist judge should not have veto power over the People’s vote,” Jones wrote on X. “We look forward to defending the outcome of last night’s election in court.”
