POLITICS

Judge Blocks Virginia Democrats' Congressional Redistricting Amendment Tuesday

PUBLISHED Jan 27, 2026, 5:19 PM ET

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Richmond, a Tazewell Circuit Court judge on Tuesday struck down a proposed constitutional amendment that would have let Virginia Democrats redraw congressional maps, ruling the measure invalid for procedural violations including improper special-session inclusion, failure to publish three months before the election and not completing required legislative steps. The decision prevents the redistricting plan from appearing on the ballot ahead of November and has prompted an expected appeal by Virginians for Fair Elections; campaign officials accused Republicans of shopping for the ruling. The court filing was publicly issued on Jan. 27, 2026. Based on 8 articles reviewed and supporting research.

By Sarah Whitman | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

October (prior year): Lawmakers advanced the mid-decade redistricting resolution less than a week before statewide races.
13th May 2024: General Assembly added the proposed amendment to the 2024 Special Session agenda.
Pre-election period: The proposed amendment was not published by the clerk three months before the general election, per statute.
Jan. 27 (court filing date): Tazewell Circuit Court Judge Jack Hurley Jr. ruled the amendment invalid on procedural grounds.
Post-ruling: Virginians for Fair Elections announced it expects to appeal the decision.

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Who Benefited

The ruling benefited actors who prioritize procedural compliance and opponents of the amendment by preventing the mid-decade redistricting amendment from appearing on the ballot while legal requirements are enforced.

Who Impacted

Democratic lawmakers and Virginians for Fair Elections suffered a setback because the court voided their redistricting amendment and halted its immediate impact on congressional maps and related electoral strategy.

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