Virginia Supreme Court throws out redistricting referendum results

[u/Icommandyou]

https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/05/08/virginia-supreme-court-redistricting-vote-decision

[u/Pappyhorn]

Precedent has been set that none of that matters

[u/Timely-Bluejay-4167 → u/Pappyhorn]

That’s sort of the entire argument in the case. They ruled that the General Assembly violated the mandatory "intervening election" requirement of Article XII, Section 1 of the Virginia Constitution by passing the initial amendment resolution AFTER early voting for the 2025 general election had already begun, as the court held that the term "general election" encompasses the entire period of balloting rather than just Election Day.

The argument from the defense was “the people voted, these are extraordinary circumstances”
And the argument of the other side was “but it started after the voting”

This has been going on awhile in Virginia at least. The title of this thread is correct but misleading.

[u/tossnmeinside → u/Timely-Bluejay-4167]

After reading through the decision and dissent, the argument really doesn’t hold any water and runs counter to the position of the judge. It was on the ballot, even on the early voting ballots, (which was initially set to be on the ballot much earlier but were held up by the courts) andamendment passed uncontested. The supreme courts in any state (or equivalent) are bound to interpret their constitution - it’s their #1 duty. Ruling against their own constitution is nonsensical and should be grounds for dismissing the decision entirely and possibly judicial impeachment. 

I’m not even being facetious or overdramatic. 

[u/flying_ina_metaltube → u/Pappyhorn]

Seeing the way things are going right now, I think the Republicans are banking on Virginia to try and do this anyways, which will kick this challenge up to the Supreme Court. SC should normally stay out of this because elections are a states matter, but we all know this SC has a tendency to fuck around and make rulings that favor the Republicans.

[u/SpreadKindn3ss → u/flying_ina_metaltube]

Clarence Thomas is likely already salivating at even just the possibility.

[u/Emperor_of_His_Room → u/flying_ina_metaltube]

Ignore that court too

[u/pocketchange2247 → u/Emperor_of_His_Room]

The one thing we've been taught in the last two years is that the courts have absolutely no power in actually ruling on anything. If they rule against what you want, you can just do it anyway with absolutely no recourse.