Virginia's Redistricting Decision Moves Ahead: Don't Get Distracted
We should not allow a single court ruling to dominate the narrative or mislead Virginians into believing the redistricting referendum is over. It is not.
What we are seeing is an early procedural decision focused on timing and logistics—not a ruling on the merits. An appeal has already been filed, and the case now moves to the Virginia Supreme Court, where it will be decided based on law, not maneuvering.
The ruling came from a Tazewell County judge who had given both sides until early February to brief a narrow issue: the applicability of a century-old public notice statute to constitutional amendments. That statute was rendered effectively obsolete when Virginia adopted a new constitution in 1971, but it remained in the state code due to legislative oversight. Anticipating that argument, the General Assembly fast-tracked legislation to repeal the outdated provision, clarify jurisdiction by moving the case to Richmond Circuit Court, and fund a statewide referendum vote. The Tazewell judge ruled earlier than planned, citing the legislature’s action as requiring immediate resolution.
Until the courts definitively rule against it—or voters go to the polls—process of bringing the referendum to the voters continues unabated.
https://bluevirginia.us/2026/01/virginias-redistricting-decision-moves-ahead-dont-get-distracted/