By — Olivia Diaz, Associated Press/Report for America Olivia Diaz, Associated Press/Report for America Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/virginia-democrats-redistricting-resolution-illegal-due-to-technicality-judge-finds Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Virginia Democrats' redistricting resolution illegal due to technicality, judge finds Politics Jan 27, 2026 5:23 PM EST RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A Virginia judge ruled Tuesday that a proposed constitutional amendment letting Democrats redraw the state's Congressional maps was illegal, potentially foiling their efforts to pick up seats in the U.S. House in November. Tazewell Circuit Court Judge Jack Hurley Jr. wrote in a court order that lawmakers' proposed constitutional amendment was invalid due to a technicality under state law that says such proposals must be passed and published by the clerk's office at least three months before a general election. WATCH: Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger's address to state's General Assembly In October, lawmakers advanced their mid-decade redistricting resolution less than a week before their statewide races. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. The judge also said the Democratic-led legislature failed to follow its own rules in adding the redistricting amendment to a special session, calling that "a blatant abuse of power." As a result, he said, the amendment was invalid and void. Virginians for Fair Elections, a campaign that supports the redistricting resolution, said in a statement that it expects an appeal. "Republicans court-shopped for a ruling because litigation and misinformation are the only tools they have left," campaign manager Keren Charles Dongo said. "We're prepared for what comes next, and Virginians deserve both the right to vote and the chance to level the playing field." WATCH: Trump criticizes Indiana Senate Republicans' rejection of redistricting effort Across the country, the unusual mid-decade redistricting battle has resulted so far in nine more seats that Republicans believe they can win in Texas, Missouri, North Carolina and Ohio. Democrats, meanwhile, think they can win six more because of redistricting in California and Utah. Democrats hope to fully or partially make up that three-seat margin in Virginia. As in Virginia, redistricting is still being litigated in several states, and there is no guarantee that the parties will win the seats they have redrawn. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now By — Olivia Diaz, Associated Press/Report for America Olivia Diaz, Associated Press/Report for America Olivia Diaz is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A Virginia judge ruled Tuesday that a proposed constitutional amendment letting Democrats redraw the state's Congressional maps was illegal, potentially foiling their efforts to pick up seats in the U.S. House in November. Tazewell Circuit Court Judge Jack Hurley Jr. wrote in a court order that lawmakers' proposed constitutional amendment was invalid due to a technicality under state law that says such proposals must be passed and published by the clerk's office at least three months before a general election. WATCH: Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger's address to state's General Assembly In October, lawmakers advanced their mid-decade redistricting resolution less than a week before their statewide races. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. The judge also said the Democratic-led legislature failed to follow its own rules in adding the redistricting amendment to a special session, calling that "a blatant abuse of power." As a result, he said, the amendment was invalid and void. Virginians for Fair Elections, a campaign that supports the redistricting resolution, said in a statement that it expects an appeal. "Republicans court-shopped for a ruling because litigation and misinformation are the only tools they have left," campaign manager Keren Charles Dongo said. "We're prepared for what comes next, and Virginians deserve both the right to vote and the chance to level the playing field." WATCH: Trump criticizes Indiana Senate Republicans' rejection of redistricting effort Across the country, the unusual mid-decade redistricting battle has resulted so far in nine more seats that Republicans believe they can win in Texas, Missouri, North Carolina and Ohio. Democrats, meanwhile, think they can win six more because of redistricting in California and Utah. Democrats hope to fully or partially make up that three-seat margin in Virginia. As in Virginia, redistricting is still being litigated in several states, and there is no guarantee that the parties will win the seats they have redrawn. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now