A Virginia court on Jan. 27 blocked a Democratic-led effort to redraw the state's congressional maps before the high-stakes 2026 midterm elections, a loss that could help the GOP keep control of the U.S. House.
Democrats intended to ask voters on April 21 whether the General Assembly should be allowed, under limited circumstances, to redraw congressional and legislative districts instead of every 10 years. Tazewell Circuit Court Judge Jack Hurley Jr. struck down the Democrats' efforts, ruling that the lawmakers did not follow proper procedures to approve the proposed constitutional amendment to allow a redraw of the state’s lines three months before the April election, as required by law.
The judge added that the amendment was improperly adopted and cannot advance to the ballot as scheduled. Virginia Democrats, who had hoped to pick up as many as four seats from the midterms, plan to appeal.
State Democrats currently control six congressional seats, and Republicans hold five.
Virginia's court decision is the latest salvo in a nationwide battle of several states seeking to change their district maps ahead of November's critical elections, as President Donald Trump seeks to maintain control of Congress.
