The Daily Populous Saturday May 9th, 2026 night edition
Authored by wjla.com and submitted by seanosul

After nearly two weeks, the Virginia Supreme Court has struck down a Democrat-led measure to redraw the commonwealth's congressional districts. However, the legal fight is not over yet, as Democrats are appealing the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The redistricting measure, which voters approved by a narrow margin in a special election last month, would have eliminated all but one Republican district in the state, giving the Virginia delegation an 10 to one Democratic advantage in the House of Representatives.

Currently, Virginia is represented by six Democrats and five Republicans.

RELATED | Virginia redistricting referendum in limbo following Virginia Supreme Court decision

The court ruled, in an opinion written by Justice D. Arthur Kelsey, that the state's Democratic-led legislature violated procedural requirements when it placed the constitutional amendment on the ballot to authorize the mid-decade redistricting.

Read the Supreme Court ruling and the dissenting opinion below:

"This violation irreparably undermines the integrity of the resulting referendum vote and renders it null and void," the court said in its opinion.

The ruling was split four to three, with Chief Justice Cleo Elaine Powell issuing the dissent.

"Today the majority has broadened the meaning of the word 'election,' as used in the Virginia Constitution, to include the early voting period. This is in direct conflict with how both Virginia and federal law define an election," she wrote. "I respectfully disagree with the majority’s conclusion that the General Assembly did not strictly comply with Virginia’s constitutional requirements. For this reason, I must respectfully dissent."

Democratic leadership in Richmond is now appealing the ruling, asking the high court to delay issuing a mandate while the appeal is underway.

Shortly after the ruling came down, reaction started pouring in from across the political spectrum.

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger expressed disappointment in the ruling. Read her full statement below:

“More than three million Virginians cast their ballots in Virginia’s redistricting referendum, and the majority of Virginia voters voted to push back against a President who said he is ‘entitled’ to more Republican seats in Congress with a temporary and responsive referendum. They made their voices heard.

I am disappointed by the Supreme Court of Virginia’s ruling, but my focus as Governor will be on ensuring that all voters have the information necessary to make their voices heard this November in the midterm elections because in those elections we — the voters — will have the final say.”

Senate Republican Leader Ryan T. McDougle applauded the decision.

"The Supreme Court ruling today affirms what we all know: you cannot violate the Constitution to change the Constitution. The Justices of the Supreme Court of Virginia, after careful and thorough review of this matter, affirmed that even the General Assembly must follow the law. This ruling is not a partisan one - it is a constitutional one. The rule of law is the foundation of our Commonwealth, and today it has been upheld. Every Virginian wins," he said in a statement.

Virginia's Democratic Attorney General Jay Jones derided the ruling in a statement.

"Today, the Supreme Court of Virginia has chosen to put politics over the rule of law by issuing a ruling that overturns the April 21st special election on redistricting. This decision silences the voices of the millions of Virginians who cast their ballots in every corner of the Commonwealth, and it fuels the growing fears across our nation about the state of our democracy.

As Attorney General, it is my job to enforce the laws on the books and defend the will of the people. Before the Court, my office clearly laid out both in filings and oral arguments that this constitutional amendment process and voter ratification occurred in a timely, constitutionally-compliant, and legally sound manner.

The Republican-led majority of the Supreme Court of Virginia contorted the plain language of the Constitution and Code of Virginia to give it a meaning that was never intended, which allowed them to reach the wrong legal conclusion that fit their political agenda. The consequences of their error are grave.

The strength and stability of our democracy depends on adherence to the rule of law, the execution of free and fair elections where every eligible voter can cast their ballots to choose their leaders, and public trust in the institutions that provide accountability and protect our democratic processes. This Court’s ruling follows a dangerous trend of tilting power away from the people.

My team is carefully reviewing this unprecedented order and we are evaluating every legal pathway forward to defend the will of the people and protect the integrity of Virginia’s elections."

The NRCC, one of the organizations that sued to block the redistricting amendment's certification, also released a statement in support of the ruling.

“Virginia Democrats’ corrupt scheme to rig the map has been crushed in court, restoring fairness and protecting the future of the Commonwealth. The NRCC was proud to lead and fund this fight to uphold the Virginia Constitution and protect fair representation, and this win is yet another sign Republicans have the momentum heading into November. We’re on offense, and we’re going to win,” NRCC Chairman Richard Hudson's statement read.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

EmergencyJacket207 on May 8th, 2026 at 14:58 UTC »

Ignore the courts and use the map anyways. Ohio republicans showed us the way. If they can do it so can we.

Twiyah on May 8th, 2026 at 14:56 UTC »

They can literally ignore this and should ignore this ruling.

“Sorry too late maybe in 2028!”

GimmeThatWheat424 on May 8th, 2026 at 14:54 UTC »

This should be the biggest story in America right now, what the fuck.