While Republicans celebrate a victory on Friday in the Virginia Supreme Court, Democrats are threatening that more legal battles may be in store for the state’s redistricting fight. The Supreme Court of Virginia invalidated a voter-approved redistricting referendum on Friday, halting Democratic efforts to implement a new congressional map.
Attorney General Jay Jones, a Democrat, said the Virginia Supreme Court is setting a “dangerous trend” with this ruling and that his team is looking at other avenues to get the Democrat-friendly map approved.
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The justices ruled that lawmakers acted too late when they approved the amendment proposal after more than a million early ballots had already been cast in last year’s Virginia elections, violating the state’s constitution.
“This Court’s ruling follows a dangerous trend of tilting power away from the people,” Jones wrote in a press release. “My team is carefully reviewing this unprecedented order and we are evaluating every legal pathway forward to defend the will of the people and protect the integrity of Virginia’s elections.”
Jones said the Virginia Supreme Court is invalidating the will of millions of Virginians who cast their vote in the April 21 election.
“This decision silences the voices of the millions of Virginians who cast their ballots in every corner of the Commonwealth, and it fuels the growing fears across our nation about the state of our democracy,” Jones said. “The consequences of their error are grave.”
Jones continued, “As Attorney General, it is my job to enforce the laws on the books and defend the will of the people. Before the Court, my office clearly laid out both in filings and oral arguments that this constitutional amendment process and voter ratification occurred in a timely, constitutionally-compliant, and legally sound manner.”
Virginia Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell (D) called on Jones to continue the fight to get the redistricting effort approved.
“Today’s decision by the Supreme Court of Virginia is, with respect, wrong on the law and unprecedented in its consequences,” Surovell said. “Our Supreme Court has set aside the results of a statewide election in which more than three million Virginians cast ballots and a majority voted to ratify a constitutional amendment. I expect the Commonwealth will pursue every available avenue of further review, and I will support those efforts.”
The Republican National Committee backed multiple legal challenges to Virginia’s new redistricting referendum, arguing it violated the state constitution by pushing through a map giving Democrats a likely 10-1 congressional majority.
“The blood, sweat, and tears we have poured into this… it’s a GREAT day to be a Republican,” said Ally Triolo, the RNC election integrity communications director, on social media.
Former Republican Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin celebrated the decision with a warning, saying Virginians will not forget what Democrats did.
“Justice has been served,” Youngkin wrote on X. “From the beginning, this was the most obvious violation of Virginia’s Constitution. Abigail Spanberger and Democrats in Richmond knowingly violated our constitution to disenfranchise millions of Virginians. The Constitution prevailed, and Virginians will never forget this unlawful attempt to rob them of their voice in Congress.”
Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) took a different approach than her fellow Virginia Democrats, saying ultimately, the midterm election will be the deciding factor.
“I am disappointed by the Supreme Court of Virginia’s ruling,” Spanberger wrote. “But my focus as Governor will be on ensuring that all voters have the information necessary to make their voices heard this November in the midterm elections.”
“Louise Lucas’ gerrymandering referendum is OVERTURNED by the Supreme Court of Virginia,” Matthew Hurtt, chairman of the Arlington County Republican Committee, wrote on X. “She’s had a rough couple days.”
Hurtt is referring to Wednesday’s FBI raid of state Sen. Louise Lucas’s office and cannabis dispensary, as part of a reported corruption investigation involving the longtime Democratic lawmaker.
VIRGINIA SUPREME COURT BLOCKS REDISTRICTING REFERENDUM AND INVALIDATES NEW CONGRESSIONAL MAP
“Huge win for the Republican Party, and America, in Virginia,” President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social. “The Virginia Supreme Court has just struck down the Democrats’ horrible gerrymander. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Virginia is part of an escalating nationwide redistricting fight, with both parties pushing redistricted maps mid-decade in several states to gain an edge ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.