Virginia judge stays certification of redistricting vote: Sources

A Virginia County Court on Wednesday barred certification of the state's redistricting referendum, pending appeal, according to former Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli and state Rep. Wren Williams, R-Va.

The Tazewell County Circuit Court issued the injunction barring certification. The order will face certain appeal and likely head to the state Supreme Court, which is already expected to address a challenge to the referendum.

"UPDATE on referendum lawsuits: The Tazewell Circuit Court just ruled the referendum unconstitutional," Cuccinelli posted on X. "The Judge entered an injunction blocking certification of the election & denied a motion to stay pending appeal. A final order will be entered once drafted, & it will be immediately appealed."

"BIG WIN: Tazewell Circuit Court just enjoined the certification of the special election!!" Williams wrote. "UPDATE: From the Tazewell Circuit Court, the Judge reaffirmed all prior rulings, declared the  referendum as unconstitutional and the amendment process of HB 1384 as unconstitutional. He entered injunctive relief and specifically enjoyed the certification of the election. He denied a motion to stay pending appeal. A final order will be entered once drafted."

Virginia voters on Wednesday narrowly approved a redistricting referendum that would allow the state legislature to redraw its congressional maps in a manner expected to favor Democrats. The state Supreme Court is expected to take up a challenge to the referendum later this month.

In March, the Virginia Supreme Court declined to block the referendum outright, saying "[i]t is the process, not the outcome, of this effort that we may ultimately have to address. Issuing an injunction to keep Virginians from the polls is not the proper way to make this decision."

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.