Virginia voters approve redistricting referendum 51.7%; Tazewell judge blocks it within hours

Virginia voters approved the redistricting referendum 51.7% to 48.3% in a special election on April 21, 2026, with roughly 1.6 million voting yes. Within hours of the polls closing, Tazewell County Circuit Court Judge Jack Hurley issued a permanent injunction blocking certification, ruling the amendment void from inception because Democrats had voted to advance it after early voting for the November 2025 election had already begun. Attorney General Jay Jones immediately pledged to appeal.