Virginia Redistricting Special Election Administration Clarification
The City of Lynchburg v. Koski et al
An anti-voting lawsuit seeking clarification from the City of Lynchburg, VA on whether city officials must administer the redistricting special election.
Background
The City of Lynchburg, VA filed a lawsuit in state court seeking clarification on whether, in light of the Feb. 19, 2026 temporary restraining order blocking the referendum from proceeding, they are “legally required, permitted, or prohibited from proceeding” with referendum preparations. Plaintiffs assert there is no clear guidance on how to proceed in light of contradictory orders from a state court judge who blocked the effort and the state’s Supreme Court, which ordered the referendum to proceed pending appeal in another case. Plaintiffs ask the court to provide immediate clarification to city and election officials.
Why It Matters
Republican officials in the state have sought to further block referendum efforts by directing Republican-led counties to not move forward with election preparation. Ironically, this decision could potentially keep GOP voters from participating in early voting. Redistricting in Virginia could result in up to four additional seats for Democrats, counteracting new GOP seats created in Texas, Missouri, and North Carolina.
Latest Updates
- Mar. 2, 2026: The court dismissed the complaint, ruling that special election preparations for the redistricting referendum must move forward.
- Feb. 28, 2026: Defendant-intervenors filed a brief in opposition to plaintiffs’ requested relief.
- Feb. 26, 2026: Emergency hearing scheduled to address plaintiffs’ request for clarification. Virginians for Fair Elections filed a motion to intervene as defendants, and the motion was granted.
- Feb. 25, 2026: Plaintiffs filed their complaint.