Photo: WBDJ7
A Virginia judge has blocked a proposed constitutional amendment that would have allowed Democrats to redraw the state’s congressional districts, dealing a setback to their efforts ahead of the upcoming election.
On Tuesday, Tazewell Circuit Court Judge Jack Hurley Jr. ruled that the amendment did not meet legal requirements under state law. His order stated that proposals to amend the constitution must be approved and formally published at least three months before a general election. Lawmakers failed to meet that deadline.
State legislators had advanced the redistricting proposal in October, just days before statewide elections, which placed it outside the legally required timeframe.
The decision comes amid a broader national battle over mid-decade redistricting. Several states are currently revisiting congressional maps, with Republicans targeting potential gains in places like Texas, Missouri, North Carolina, and Ohio. Democrats are pursuing similar efforts in states including California, Utah, and Virginia.
Political analysts say these map changes could influence control of the U.S. House, though many cases remain tied up in court and outcomes are uncertain.
Virginia’s ruling adds to the growing list of legal challenges surrounding redistricting efforts nationwide as both parties seek strategic advantages ahead of November.
SOURCE: WBDJ7