The Supreme Court of Virginia ruled Friday that a voter-approved redistricting plan violated state constitutional procedures. The 4-3 decision nullifies the April referendum and keeps the state's existing congressional maps in place. Democrats had sought the change to gain a stronger edge ahead of the 2026 midterms.
The court found that lawmakers failed to follow the required process for amending the constitution. They voted on the proposal during a special session after early voting had already begun, denying some voters the chance to consider the issue when electing delegates. Justice Arthur Kelsey wrote for the majority that the violation undermined the referendum's integrity and rendered it null and void.
