Va. Gov. Abigail Spanberger on Jan. 17, 2026, in Richmond, Va. (Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
In an opinion written by Justice D. Arthur Kelsey, the Virginia Supreme Court has today ruled that the controversial redistricting referendum—narrowly approved by voters on April 21, 2026—was unconstitutional.
The court determined in a 4-3 vote, with no dissenting opinion, that the Democrat-led General Assembly violated key procedural requirements under the Virginia Constitution when it advanced the amendment during a rushed special session, bypassing proper public notice and timing mandates. As a result, the proposed congressional maps, which would have dramatically shifted the state’s delegation toward a 10-1 Democratic advantage, have been invalidated.
This ruling is unequivocally the best outcome for Virginia.
For years, the Commonwealth has prided itself on competitive elections and balanced representation, reflecting its status as a purple state with diverse communities from the suburbs of Northern Virginia to the more rural areas of Shenandoah Valley and Tidewater. The rejected maps were a blatant partisan power grab, designed not to ensure fair districts but to entrench one party’s dominance ahead of the 2026 midterms.
By striking them down, the court has preserved the integrity of the redistricting process and prevented the erosion of competitive districts that allow voters—not mapmakers—to decide elections.
Virginia’s maps should be drawn through transparent, constitutional means, not backroom maneuvers that ignore the state’s foundational rules. This decision upholds the principle that no legislature, regardless of its majority, can rewrite the rules midstream to favor itself. It protects minority-party voices, encourages broader accountability, and reinforces trust in our democratic institutions.
The fight is not over. According to Ken Cucinelli II, former attorney general of Virginia, four Constitutional challenges have already been teed up, but for now, this is a huge win for good governance, the rule of law, and the long-term health of Virginia and the country.
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