Judge Rejects GOP’s Emergency Bid to Halt Virginia Redistricting  

A Virginia judge Wednesday rejected a Republican request to immediately block Democrats from advancing a constitutional amendment that could let the state redraw its congressional map — a win, for now, for Democrats and voting rights advocates.

Republican lawmakers filed the lawsuit Tuesday, arguing that Democratic lawmakers lacked the constitutional power to reconvene or expand the legislature’s special session to take up redistricting.

They also claimed that debating such a measure while early voting is underway violates public notice rules. 

The court denied their GOP’s request for an emergency injunction from the bench, meaning the push for a constitutional amendment can move forward for now. 

The court scheduled a follow-up hearing on a preliminary injunction or November 5.

Democrats are pushing a constitutional amendment — House Joint Resolution 6006 — that would permit redistricting as a response to Trump-endorsed, GOP gerrymanders nationwide, an option they say is needed to defend Virginia’s fair maps process.

“Our hand’s been forced here,” Delegate Rodney Willett (D), one of the measure’s sponsors, said Monday. “This is not our choice to be here, but with this kind of attack, we’ve got to respond.”

The amendment would still need to pass again in 2026 and win voter approval in a statewide referendum before taking effect — a process designed to give Virginians the final say.

For now, the ruling means Virginia’s effort to safeguard representation remains alive — and so does the chance for voters, not politicians, to ultimately decide the shape of their democracy.