Virginia Supreme Court Rules Redistricting Referendum Unconstitutional
Today, the Virginia Supreme Court released its ruling declaring the Virginia Democrats’ efforts to authorize partisan gerrymandering unconstitutional. In response to Republican mid-decade redistricting, Virginia Democrats move forward with efforts this session to suspend the nonpartisan redistricting commission and enact a Congressional map that eliminating four Republican-leaning seats.
The ruling from the Virginia Supreme Court said, “On March 6, 2026, the General Assembly of Virginia submitted to Virginia voters a proposed constitutional amendment that authorizes partisan gerrymandering of congressional districts in the Commonwealth. We hold that the legislative process employed to advance this proposal violated Article XII, Section 1 of the Constitution of Virginia. This constitutional violation incurably taints the resulting referendum vote and nullifies its legal efficacy.”
In October 2025, Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares issued an official clarifying that Democrat’s scheme to engage in redistricting was blatantly unconstitutional. However, in January, Virginia Democrats rushed ahead with a referendum and new proposed maps to give Democrats a decisive advantage. Overall, Democrats spent over $70 million from the Democrats’ war chest to bolster the campaign.
What They Are Saying:
Former Attorney General Jason Miyares said, “Taxpayers just got hit with a close to ~$10 million bill for Spanberger’s illegal gerrymandering amendment special election. Time for Gov. Spanberger to remember “affordability” & give a tax rebate to every Virginian and own the fiscal irresponsibility of this blatantly unconstitutional power grab.”
Republican Senator Bryce Reeves said, “We Win. Dems Lose! Supremes choose the rule of law over politics. DNC out $110 mm. No midterm redistricting Pound Sand Rep. Jeffries. In this case, the Commonwealth submitted a proposed constitutional amendment to Virginia voters in an unprecedent manner that violated the intervening-election requirement.
Congressman Ben Cline said, “The Supreme Court of Virginia correctly decided that elections begin when votes are cast, NOT when Democrats decide. After 1,000,000 votes have been cast, the Left cannot just blatantly ignore the Constitution and add an amendment for consideration.”
Congresswoman Jen Kiggans said, “The Supreme Court of Virginia’s ruling is a victory for Virginians’ right to fair and adequate representation against the Democrats’ attempt to unfairly grab power through an unconstitutional gerrymander of Virginia. Violating the Virginia Constitution and bypassing the rule of law to further one’s own political power is wrong. Had Abigail Spanberger and the rest of Virginia’s Democrats succeeded, they would have caused irreparable harm to our democracy and disenfranchised millions of Virginians. I thank the Supreme court for its courage in standing up for what is right.”
Democrat Governor Abigail Spanberger said, “I am disappointed by the Supreme Court of Virginia’s ruling, 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 because in those elections we — the voters — will have the final say.”
