Virginia Democrats’ proposed amendment to redraw Virginia’s Congressional map before this year’s midterm elections violates the state’s constitution, Judge Jack S. Hurley ruled Tuesday.
“Breaking: A judge rules that a proposed constitutional amendment that could allow Virginia Democrats to redraw Virginia’s Congressional map ahead of the 2026 midterm elections is illegal,” ABC 8News WRIC (Richmond) Virginia State Capitol Reporter Tyler Englander posted to social media Tuesday afternoon.
The post shares the text of Tazewell Judge Jack S. Hurley’s decision, in which “The Court hereby GRANTS a PERMANENT and TEMPORARY INJUNCTION” against Virginia Democrats’ bid to gain additional seats in the state’s House.
“Democrats currently control 6 of Virginia’s 11 congressional districts and aim to create up to 4 additional left-leaning seats,” Fox News explained earlier this month when the state’s Democrat-controlled Senate followed the Democrat-controlled House in advancing the proposed amendment.
The amendment, if instituted, calls for a vote on the ballot measure this spring, so that the state’s legislature (rather than the required non-partisan redistricting commission) can redraw congressional maps before this year’s midterm elections and through 2030.
The lawsuit seeking the injunction granted by Judge Hurley was filed by Republican State Senator Ryan T. McDougle, the Senate Minority leader and a legislative commissioner of the Virginia Redistricting Commission.
Breaking: A judge rules that a proposed constitutional amendment that could allow Virginia Democrats to redraw Virginia’s Congressional map ahead of the 2026 midterm elections is illegal. https://t.co/8B2LjkM3tn
— Tyler Englander (@TylerEnglander) January 27, 2026
