Virginia Judge Blocks Democrats' Redistricting Referendum

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A Virginia court has effectively blocked Democrats' planned April voter referendum to redraw the state's congressional maps, granting a temporary restraining order requested by the Republican National Committee and the National Republican Congressional Committee. The ruling is a potential blow to the party's effort to pick up four more U.S. House seats in the national redistricting battle.

Why it matters

The court's decision could kill the referendum for this year if it withstands appeal, impacting the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives. Redistricting has become a major political battleground, with both parties jockeying to gain an advantage through the redrawing of district maps.

The details

The Republican request for a restraining order argued that Democrats were rushing the redistricting process despite legal hurdles. This is the second time the Tazewell Circuit Court has ruled against Democrats' redistricting agenda, after an earlier decision that a constitutional amendment resolution was illegally passed. Democrats had been confident in pressing ahead with their effort, releasing a proposed map that could give their party four more seats in the U.S. House.

• On Thursday, the Tazewell Circuit Court granted a temporary restraining order blocking the referendum.
• The restraining order is in effect until March 18, with early voting slated to start on March 6.

What’s next

The Virginia Supreme Court is reviewing an appeal of the earlier ruling that a constitutional amendment resolution was illegally passed. The court had said it would allow the referendum to proceed while it reviews the appeal.