Virginia judge blocks Democrats' redistricting referendum

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A Virginia court has temporarily blocked Democrats from preparing for an April voter referendum to redraw the state's congressional maps, handing the party another setback in its efforts to pick up four more U.S. House seats in the national redistricting battle.

Why it matters

The ruling is the latest development in the ongoing national redistricting battle, where both parties are fighting to redraw district lines to their advantage ahead of the 2024 elections. The outcome in Virginia could have significant implications for the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The details

The Tazewell Circuit Court in Virginia granted a temporary restraining order requested by the Republican National Committee and the National Republican Congressional Committee over the ballot referendum's timing and phrasing. The motion, also signed by Republican U.S. Reps. Ben Cline and Morgan Griffith, argued that Democrats were rushing the redistricting process despite legal hurdles.

• On Thursday, the Tazewell Circuit Court in Virginia granted the temporary restraining order.
• In January, the same judge ruled that a resolution for a constitutional amendment was illegally passed and taken up too close to an intervening election.

What’s next

The case has been appealed to the state Supreme Court, and justices had said they would allow the referendum to proceed while they review the appeal.