A Virginia circuit court judge halted the certification of a voter-approved constitutional amendment on Wednesday that would have allowed the Democratic-led General Assembly to redraw the state's congressional districts.

Voters narrowly passed the "Virginia Use of Legislative Congressional Redistricting Map Amendment" in a special election on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, with 51.45% yes votes (1,575,274) against 48.55% no votes (1,486,214). The measure would have granted temporary authority for mid-decade redistricting between January 1, 2025, and October 31, 2030, if other states redrew maps outside the decennial census cycle or court orders. It bypassed the bipartisan Virginia Redistricting Commission established by voters in 2020, implementing a new map under House Bill 29 that analysts said could shift the state's U.S. House delegation from roughly 6-5 Democratic to 10-1.

Tazewell County Circuit Judge Jack Hurley Jr. declared the referendum invalid, issuing an injunction blocking certification and denying a stay pending appeal. The ruling cited procedural flaws in the amendment process, including failures to meet constitutional requirements for legislative sessions, publication notices, and the intervening election between passages. Republicans, led by the Republican National Committee, had filed the lawsuit challenging the ballot language and process.

This marks the latest in a series of legal battles. Judge Hurley previously ruled against Democratic redistricting efforts in January and February 2026, though the Virginia Supreme Court allowed the April 21 referendum to proceed while reviewing challenges. The amendment passed the General Assembly in successive sessions: first in October 2025 and again in January 2026.

Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones announced an immediate appeal, stating, "Virginia voters have spoken, and an activist judge should not have veto power over the People's vote." Former Republican Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli praised the decision, noting issues with Democrats treating 2025 early voting as the required intervening election.

Democrats framed the amendment as a response to Republican-led redistricting in states like Texas and North Carolina. Gov. Abigail Spanberger said voters approved a measure to counter out-of-state influences. Republicans, including House Minority Leader Terry Kilgore, argued the process was flawed and the map a power grab.

The decision preserves current maps for the 2026 midterms unless overturned on appeal. The Virginia Supreme Court has not yet scheduled arguments.