Virginia Supreme Court upholds Tazewell injunction blocking certification of voter-approved redistricting referendum

The Virginia Supreme Court upholds a lower court injunction on April 28, 2026, blocking state election officials from certifying the results of the April 21 redistricting referendum that Virginia voters approved by a slim margin. A Tazewell County judge had ruled the constitutional amendment invalid the day after the vote, citing procedural defects in how the General Assembly passed the amendment. The Supreme Court hears oral arguments the following week in a parallel Republican National Committee challenge alleging Democrats improperly expanded a special legislative session to advance redistricting. Under HB 1384, Virginia law requires certification within 14 days of the election — by May 5 — creating a hard deadline that passes without resolution. Congressional candidates must file by May 26, leaving the state's entire 2026 congressional election calendar in uncertainty.