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A Virginia judge has temporarily blocked a planned April referendum that would have allowed voters to decide whether to redraw the state’s congressional maps — a decision that could carry major implications for control of the U.S. House.
On Thursday (February 19), Tazewell County Circuit Court Judge Jack Hurley Jr. granted a temporary restraining order requested by the Republican National Committee and the National Republican Congressional Committee, according to the Associated Press. The order pauses the referendum as legal challenges move forward.
Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones has said he will appeal.
The restraining order is in effect until March 18. Early voting had been scheduled to begin March 6. If the ruling holds through appeal, it could effectively shut down the referendum effort for this election cycle.
Republican plaintiffs — including GOP U.S. Reps. Ben Cline and Morgan Griffith — argue that Democrats improperly advanced the redistricting measure and that the timing and ballot language violate state law. In a statement, the RNC called the ruling a “massive win.”
This marks the second time Judge Hurley has ruled against Democratic efforts tied to redistricting. In January, he determined that a constitutional amendment resolution related to map changes had been improperly passed during a special legislative session. That decision is currently under review by the Virginia Supreme Court.
The dispute in Virginia is part of a broader national redistricting battle ahead of the next congressional elections. President Donald Trump encouraged Republican leaders in Texas last year to pursue mid-decade redistricting aimed at protecting the GOP’s narrow House majority. Since then, both parties have been exploring opportunities in multiple states to strengthen their position.
Virginia Democrats had proposed a new congressional map they say could produce up to four additional Democratic-leaning seats. House Speaker Don Scott expressed confidence the latest ruling would be overturned.
Meanwhile, lawmakers recently passed legislation directing that future legal challenges related to constitutional amendments be heard in Richmond Circuit Court. Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed that measure into law and set April 21 as the date for the referendum. However, Judge Hurley ruled that Tazewell County remains a proper venue for the current case.
With early voting timelines looming and control of the House hanging in the balance, the legal fight now moves to higher courts — and the political stakes remain high for both parties.
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