Virginia's Redistricting Map Denied by U.S. Supreme Court

Although Virginia voted YES! on the redistricting referendum, the courts interceded, so the vote has not been certified. In April, a Tazewell County judge blocked certification of the “YES” vote. The Virginia Supreme Court heard the appeal and, in a 4-3 split, ruled that the legislative process leading to the redistricting vote was procedurally flawed. On Friday, May 15th. The Supreme Court ruled that the new, popularly accepted redistricted maps cannot be used.”

Setting aside any controversy over the post-2020 census maps (see https://lawreview.gmu.edu/forum/virginias-congressional-districts-are-unconstitutional/), because the Supreme Court ruled against the April 2026 map, Virginia’s Congressional Districts will revert to the 2021 court-drawn map. Unfortunately, while the newer maps have been approved through a popular referendum, the previous set of maps was court-construed maps drawn up by an appointed group of only two. Disappointing, but this is where we are today.

Of note, however, is that SCOTUS offered no justification for its ruling against Virginia’s popularly supported redistricting, even though it recently ruled in favor of redistricting in Texas and Louisiana; this smacks of the Court's politicization.

Democrats have fought uphill battles before, so our only choice is to do all we can to prepare for the August Primary and then fight for these candidates in the November election. There are opportunities to pick up a seat or two, even with the “old” Congressional District maps, if we are strategic and persevere. Below is a map of the Congressional Districts we will be using for the August 4, 2026, Primaries and the November 3, 2026, elections.

2026 Congressional District Map (the old map)

Use this link to view the Court-drawn post-2020 census map: https://www.elections.virginia.gov/casting-a-ballot/redistricting/interactive-map/

Voter-Approved 2026 Mapped