{"id":2597529,"date":"2026-05-01T07:20:47","date_gmt":"2026-05-01T11:20:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/clock-ticking-for-virginia-supreme-court-to-decide-on-new-map\/"},"modified":"2026-05-01T07:22:52","modified_gmt":"2026-05-01T11:22:52","slug":"clock-ticking-for-virginia-supreme-court-to-decide-on-new-map","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/clock-ticking-for-virginia-supreme-court-to-decide-on-new-map\/","title":{"rendered":"Clock ticking for Virginia Supreme Court to decide on new map"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fclock-ticking-for-virginia-supreme-court-to-decide-on-new-map%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2597529&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Virginia\u2019s Supreme Court is deciding a challenge to a redistricting referendum, and teh timing is tight: under House Bill 1384, elections must be certified within 14 days, so the court has until May 6 to prevent the 2026 midterm map from being rendered null and void if it hasn\u2019t been allowed to stand.<\/p>\n<p>Republicans, backed by the RNC, are arguing the referendum process violated the state constitution-claiming Democrats \u201crammed\u201d it through and produced a map that would give Democrats a 10-1 majority. The RNC says it has filed three lawsuits: one contesting the congressional map\u2019s compactness and two targeting the procedures used to advance the referendum.<\/p>\n<p>Supporters of the <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >change argue voters narrowly approved<\/a> the congressional map (51.7%-48.3%) to reflect virginia\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/north-dakota-looks-to-clamp-down-on-professor-tenure-after-legislative-failure\/\" title=\"North Dakota seeks to tighten rules on professor tenure following legislative setback\">current political makeup<\/a>, framing the close results as evidence that the Democrats\u2019 actions weren\u2019t as improper as opponents claim. The ruling is expected soon, with Republicans also signaling future litigation over Voting Rights Act issues and map compactness, including claims that certain districts were drawn to maximize partisan advantage.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p>Time is running out for the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4544139\/virginia-redistrict-amendment-faces-tension-state-supreme-court\/\">Virginia Supreme Court <\/a>to make a decision on the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/business\/4532847\/virginia-democrats-spanberger-plummeting-popularity-redistricting\/\">redistricting referendum<\/a>. The court ruled to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4546081\/virginia-supreme-court-keeps-block-on-redistricting\/\">block the redistricting map<\/a> while it makes a decision on the case.<\/p>\n<p>According to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/lis.virginia.gov\/bill-details\/20261\/HB1384\">House Bill 1384<\/a>, the election must be certified no later than 14 days after the day of the election. This means the Virginia Supreme Court has until May 6, or the map could be found null and void for the 2026 midterm elections.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4550120\/spencer-pratt-endorsements-cash-los-angeles-mayor\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Reality star Spencer Pratt racks up cash, endorsements in upstart Los Angeles mayor bid<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4548966\/dc-mayor-debate-public-safety-housing\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>DC mayoral debate sees candidates clash on public safety, housing, and more<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4548510\/california-democrats-political-worldview-trump-byron-york\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>California Democrats base \u2018entire political worldview\u2019 on Trump: Byron York<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>\u201cThe state board of elections is running up against a clock,\u201d <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/matthewhurtt\">Matthew Hurtt<\/a>, chairman of the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/goparlington\">Arlington County Republican Committee<\/a>, told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>. \u201cIf a few more days pass, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/38-iranian-dissidents-urge-biden-to-keep-trumps-pressure-on-despotic-regime\/\" title=\"38 Iranian Dissidents Urge Biden To Keep Trump\u2019s Pressure On Despotic Regime\">political reality<\/a> is the hands will be tied of the state board of elections.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>The <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/republican-national-committee\/\">Republican National Committee<\/a> is backing multiple legal challenges to Virginia\u2019s new redistricting referendum, arguing it violated the state constitution by pushing through a map giving Democrats a 10-1 majority in the commonwealth.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-jetpack-image-compare\">\n<div class=\"juxtapose\" data-mode=\"horizontal\"><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>\u201cI just think it\u2019s unconscionable what the Democrats have done here,\u201d Mike Hurst, general counsel to the RNC, told <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>. \u201cThey\u2019ve lied to the voters. They\u2019ve just completely thrown constitutional requirements out the window.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Hurst, who is also the chairman of the Mississippi Republican Party, said lawmakers ignored constitutional safeguards that voters themselves approved.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cVirginians established years ago a process for redistricting. They enshrine[d] that in the commonwealth\u2019s constitution,\u201d Hurst said. \u201cWhat we believe the facts have shown is that the General Assembly violated specifically the commonwealth constitution here by trying to ram this through against the will of the people.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The RNC is behind three lawsuits, one relating to the compactness of the congressional map and two others about the procedure Democrats used to advance the referendum. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhat the Democrats have done here is unconstitutional. It\u2019s illegal,\u201d Hurst said. \u201cIt has taken the voice away from the people, which is what we\u2019re supposed to all be about.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Voters <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4537925\/virginia-redistricting-referendum-results\/\">narrowly approved the new congressional map<\/a> by less than 3 points (51.7%-48.3%) to change a 6-5 Democratic majority to a 10-1 Democratic advantage in Virginia\u2019s U.S. House delegation. Hurst argues the vote should never have happened because the way the maps were brought before Virginians was unconstitutional.<\/p>\n<div class=\"infogram-embed\" data-id=\"6fd56d26-8227-4795-8500-a1921cfead85\" data-type=\"interactive\" data-title=\"Virginia special election\"><\/div>\n<p><script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(e,n,i,s){var d=\"InfogramEmbeds\";var o=e.getElementsByTagName(n)[0];if(window[d]&&window[d].initialized)window[d].process&&window[d].process();else if(!e.getElementById(i)){var r=e.createElement(n);r.async=1,r.id=i,r.src=s,o.parentNode.insertBefore(r,o)}}(document,\"script\",\"infogram-async\",\"https:\/\/e.infogram.com\/js\/dist\/embed-loader-min.js\");<\/script>    <\/p>\n<p>Hurtt, on the other hand, believes this proves the 6-5 map properly represents the people of Virginia.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think the vote was so close, and it is representative of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/new-york-officially-adopts-new-congressional-lines-that-could-axe-half-the-gop-delegation\/\" title=\"New York Officially Adopts New Congressional Lines That Could Axe Half The GOP Delegation\">current congressional delegation<\/a> and voters reaffirmed that,\u201d Hurtt said. \u201cI think what Democrats were expecting was a much wider margin, something like what played out in the 2025 gubernatorial election, and they didn\u2019t get that and so their arguments were not as strong before the [state] Supreme Court.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Hurtt believes the Virginia Supreme Court will make their decision about the referendum on Monday. <\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(vpap.org)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>If the court finds Democrats did follow proper procedure, the RNC says there are still more lawsuits against the compactness of the map, which Hurst calls \u201clobster-mandering\u201d due to the distinct lobster shape of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4529490\/philip-harding-virginia-seventh-district-republican-abigail-spanberger-seat\/\">Virginia\u2019s 7th Congressional District<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe Democrats drew everything in a way that they knew would maximize their numbers in these congressional districts,\u201d Hurst said. \u201cThey have specifically shaped these so that northern Virginia is divided up into five different areas extending down to the Central Valley, to the Shenandoah, to the tidewaters, and it\u2019s basically reinforcing the idea that Washingtonians are going to send other Washingtonians to Washington, which is crazy.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Hurst believes the landmark <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/supreme-court\/\">Supreme Court<\/a> ruling Wednesday in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/supreme-court\/4548431\/supreme-court-louisiana-redistricting-ruling-democrats-south\/\"><em>Louisiana v. Callais<\/em><\/a>  will set a precedent in Republicans\u2019 favor and gives him more confidence the Virginia Supreme Court will rule against the redistricted map.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/in_focus\/4545265\/ban-gerrymandering-hold-your-horses\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/in_focus\/4545265\/ban-gerrymandering-hold-your-horses\/\">BAN GERRYMANDERING? HOLD YOUR HORSES<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat\u2019s going to be another opportunity, I think, for the Republican Party to look at this, to analyze this, and to assess whether the Democrats have actually violated the Voting Rights Act,\u201d Hurst said.<\/p>\n<p>The high court ruled 6-3 on Wednesday that Louisiana\u2019s creation of a second <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/doj-sues-texas-over-redistricting-claims-it-violates-voting-rights-act\/\" title=\"DOJ sues Texas over ..., claims it violates Voting Rights Act\">minority-majority district<\/a> in compliance with Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act was an unconstitutional racial gerrymander.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Time is running out for Virginia Supreme Court to decide redistricting. The map is blocked as the court rules. HB 1384 requires certification within 14 days-by May 6-or the 2026 midterm map could be void<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2745,"featured_media":2597530,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Redistricting-featire-image.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[78929,16985,32275,5468],"class_list":["post-2597529","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-election-maps","tag-redistricting","tag-supreme-court","tag-virginia"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Redistricting-featire-image.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2597529","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2745"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2597529"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2597529\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2597533,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2597529\/revisions\/2597533"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2597530"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2597529"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2597529"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2597529"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}