A Virginia judge ruled Tuesday that a Democrat-led effort to redraw the state’s congressional districts ahead of the 2026 midterm elections is invalid. The decision blocks a proposed constitutional amendment that would have dramatically reshaped Virginia’s political map.
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Tazewell Circuit Court Judge Jack Hurley Jr. issued the ruling after reviewing a resolution advanced by the Virginia General Assembly earlier this week. Democrats pursued the amendment after winning control of both chambers of the legislature and the governor’s mansion in last year’s elections.
The proposal would have authorized lawmakers to redraw congressional districts before the next midterms, a move that could have given Democrats control of 10 of Virginia’s 11 U.S. House seats. Republicans strongly criticized the effort, noting that nearly half of Virginia voters supported President Donald Trump in the 2024 election and arguing the plan ignored the state’s competitive political balance.
Judge Hurley invalidated the resolution on procedural grounds, citing three violations of state law. He ruled that lawmakers failed to properly include the amendment on the special session agenda, did not approve it before voting began in the previous general election, and did not publish the proposal for public notice at least three months before that election.
The ruling followed an earlier Jan. 13 decision by the same court denying a Republican request for an emergency injunction. At that time, Hurley said the court needed to wait for final legislative action before weighing in, rather than intervening in an ongoing process.
Tuesday’s decision prevents the amendment from going to voters and means Virginia will use its existing congressional maps—drawn after the 2020 Census—for the 2026 elections. Supporters of the amendment have said they plan to appeal, but any reversal would face tight deadlines as candidate filings and primary elections approach.[/read]