(AURN News) — Virginia voters approved a redistricting referendum Tuesday by three points, which would have allowed the Democratic-controlled General Assembly to redraw the state’s congressional maps, potentially shifting as many as 10 of the state’s 11 congressional seats toward Democrats.
But one day later, a Tazewell County Circuit Court judge declared those votes ineffective.
Judge Jack Hurley ruled the referendum unconstitutional, saying lawmakers failed to give the required 90-day public notice before the vote and that the amendment was not properly passed during a valid legislative session.
The judge blocked state officials from certifying the results or implementing the new maps. Democrats are appealing immediately. Attorney General Jay Jones, D-Va., criticized the ruling, saying “an activist judge” should not have the power to override the will of the voters.
Hurley is the same judge who tried to block the vote twice before. The state Supreme Court overruled him both times, but it has not yet ruled on the underlying constitutional questions, which are now before it.
Click play to listen to the report from AURN White House Correspondent Ebony McMorris. For more news, follow @E_N_McMorris & @aurnonline.
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