Gerrymandering Referendum Overturned

Virginia Supreme Court overturns Democratic gerrymandering referendum, ruling the process to put it on the ballot was unconstitutional.

The court’s opinion, written by Justice D. Arthur Kelsey notes the court holds that “the legislative process employed to advance this proposal violated Article XII, Section 1 of the Constitution of Virginia.  This constitutional violation incurably taints the resulting referendum vote and nullifies its legal efficacy.”

The court voted 4-3 to overturn the referendum.

Governor Spanberger’s Reaction:

Governor Abigail Spanberger today released the following statement after the Supreme Court of Virginia ruled to overturn the results of Virginia’s redistricting referendum.

“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.”