Virginia Supreme Court allows redistricting special election to move forward

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: NBC News

Feb. 13, 2026, 10:43 AM EST / Updated Feb. 13, 2026, 11:00 AM EST


The Virginia Supreme Court on Friday allowed a referendum that could pave the way for a new congressional map that heavily favors Democrats to appear on the ballot this spring.

The ruling is a victory for Democrats as they seek to pick up as many as four seats in this year's midterm elections with their redistricting effort. Voters will decide in a special election on April 21 whether to approve a constitutional amendment that would allow the redrawn map to go into effect.

Still, the ruling doesn't end the broader legal challenge over Democrats' redistricting maneuver. The state Supreme Court court said it may schedule oral arguments and laid out a schedule for opening briefs in the case. A final ruling would almost certainly come after the special election.

Democrats currently control six of Virginia's 11 congressional districts.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/virginia-supreme-court-allows-redistricting-special-election-rcna258937

---

[lostincalifornia]

1. Texas opened the door to this, and hopefully between California and now Virginia's actions, this

will address actions of unintended consequences with them losing the House in the midterms, and if a miracle happened the Senate also.

[BaronChocula]

4. And don't forget Maryland!

One seat is one seat.

[lostincalifornia]

5. I didn't realize Maryland was going to do redistricting legislation. Cool.

[BumRushDaShow]

6. The (D) President of the MD state Senate

has been balking at it but hoping he will back away from obstructing their effort as the country is now in an "IN CASE OF EMERGENCY: BREAK GLASS" moment.

[pandr32]

2. This is great news.

We have to keep this regime from canceling the midterms.

[GreenWave]

3. Voting in Virginia starts next month so GOTV, as I am sure repugs will be going to the polls to stop it.

10-1 baby!