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NewsCBS News PoliticsApril 22, 2026United States

Judge Blocks Virginia's New Congressional Maps After Referendum

A Tazewell County judge has invalidated the results of a recent referendum that would have allowed Virginia lawmakers to redraw congressional districts. The ruling prevents state officials from certifying the vote or implementing new maps that were intended to shift the partisan balance of the state's House delegation.

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Why It Matters

The court order halts the implementation of new congressional district boundaries that would have affected the partisan composition of 11 House seats, maintaining the status quo until the legal challenge is resolved.

Key Facts

  • Judge Jack Hurley declared all votes for and against the Tuesday redistricting referendum 'ineffective'.
  • State officials are barred from certifying the referendum results or implementing the new congressional maps.
  • The judge ruled the referendum violated the state constitution by failing to meet a 90-day public notice requirement.
  • The court characterized the ballot question presented to voters as 'flagrantly misleading'.
  • The referendum sought to allow lawmakers to redraw House maps, overriding a 2020 amendment that established a bipartisan commission.
  • The proposed maps would have shifted the state's House delegation from 6 Democrats and 5 Republicans to 10 Democratic-leaning seats and 1 Republican-leaning seat.
  • Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones announced an immediate appeal of the ruling.
  • The state is currently scheduled to return to its old redistricting system after the 2030 election.
  • The Virginia Supreme Court previously allowed the vote to proceed but did not rule on the underlying constitutional issues.

Who's Mentioned

personJay Jones“Virginia Attorney General who plans to appeal the ruling.”organizationRepublican National Committee“Group that sued over the referendum.”personEric Holder“Former Attorney General who supported the referendum.”personJoe Gruters“RNC Chair who commented on the ruling.”personJack Hurley“Judge of the Tazewell County Circuit Court who issued the order.”personAbigail Spanberger“Governor of Virginia.”organizationVirginia General Assembly“State legislative body that passed the new maps.”personBarack Obama“Former President who supported the referendum.”