Virginia Congressional Redistricting Challenge (RNC II)
Republican National Committee v. Virginia State Board of Elections
An anti-voting lawsuit seeking to block the Virginia legislature’s bill to counter nationwide GOP redistricting efforts.
Background
The Republican National Committee, Republican Party of Virginia, and Virginia voters filed a lawsuit in state court challenging the legislature’s authority to alter the 2021 congressional map approved by the state’s supreme court. Plaintiffs argue the legislature does not have this authority, but even if it did, the new map “completely destroy the 2021 [districts] and replace it with a radically different set of congressional district lines.” Plaintiffs also assert that the new map is not “compact” as required by the state’s constitution. The lawsuit seeks to block the legislature from repealing the 2021 map.
Why It Matters
Virginia is the second state, after California, to potentially net seats for Democrats in the nationwide redistricting war sparked by President Donald Trump’s intent to secure maximum GOP advantage in the 2026 midterm elections. Redistricting in the state could result in up to four additional seats for Democrats, counteracting new GOP seats created in Texas, Missouri, and North Carolina.
Latest Updates
- Apr. 20, 2026: The court will hear argument on plaintiffs’ motion for a preliminary injunction to block the new congressional map.
- Mar. 31, 2026: Plaintiffs filed their motion for a preliminary injunction.
- Mar. 30, 2026: The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) filed a motion to intervene as defendants in the lawsuit.
- Mar. 11, 2026: Plaintiffs filed their lawsuit.