{"id":466882,"date":"2026-02-13T20:15:13","date_gmt":"2026-02-13T20:15:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/466882\/"},"modified":"2026-02-13T20:15:13","modified_gmt":"2026-02-13T20:15:13","slug":"in-victory-for-democrats-virginia-supreme-court-says-redistricting-vote-can-go-forward","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/466882\/","title":{"rendered":"In victory for Democrats, Virginia Supreme Court says redistricting vote can go forward"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Virginia Senate President Pro Tempore, Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, recognizes a visitor in the gallery as she presides over the Senate, Jan 27, 2020, at the state Capitol in Richmond, Va. (AP Photo\/Steve Helber, File)<\/p>\n

In a big win for Virginia Democrats\u2019 efforts to counter President Donald Trump\u2019s GOP gerrymanders in other states<\/a>, the Virginia Supreme Court said<\/a> the state can hold its special election on Democrats\u2019 own redistricting plan. The referendum vote is scheduled to take place on April 21.<\/p>\n

Democrats will still have to defend<\/a>* that plan in court, but the order means that the ongoing legal case will not prevent a redistricting referendum from going forward. In practice, that means voters will get to decide on a proposed \u201c10-1\u201d map that could deliver four more Democratic seats in Congress.<\/p>\n

Though the Supreme Court\u2019s order is a victory for Democrats, some uncertainty remains about the future of redistricting.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Because a decision in the redistricting case will come after the referendum takes place, the Supreme Court could theoretically void the results of that vote if it rules against Democrats. In practice, a decision overruling voters would be unlikely.<\/p>\n

GOP anti-redistricting group Virginians for Fair Maps acknowledged the defeat in a statement from its co-chairs, former state Attorney General Jason Miyares and former U.S. Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Va.).<\/p>\n

\u201cThough we firmly believe this referendum is illegal, the court has allowed it to move forward before final judgement,\u201d they wrote. \u201cThere will be further legal action on this matter.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

After a couple of hours of failed spin, the GOP has now acknowledged it lost and needs either a new lawsuit or to try to go to SCOTUS. I predicted this an hour ago. <\/p>\n

I can safely say, the new “legal action” will fail and Virginia voters will decide. https:\/\/t.co\/Ym1aAcfB2r<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Marc E. Elias (@marceelias) February 13, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n

In January, Virginia lawmakers passed<\/a> a constitutional amendment that, if approved by voters, would allow them to redraw the state\u2019s congressional map.<\/p>\n

Republicans sued, and a state judge blocked the redistricting measure, concluding that lawmakers had not properly followed procedural rules when they took an initial vote on their plan.<\/p>\n

Democrats quickly appealed<\/a> to the state court of appeals, arguing the decision was \u201clegally flawed, unprecedented, and the product of court-shopping designed to block Virginians from voting on their own Constitution.\u201d<\/p>\n

The court of appeals then hurried the case<\/a> to the Virginia Supreme Court, an unusual move intended to ensure a quicker decision on a case presenting questions \u201cof such imperative public importance.\u201d<\/p>\n

This is a developing story.<\/p>\n

*Defendant-intervenors are represented in the lawsuit by the Elias Law Group (ELG). ELG Chair Marc Elias is the founder of Democracy Docket.<\/p>\n

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