Virginia Supreme Court Decision Sparks Protest
A lone demonstrator expressed her anger outside the Virginia Supreme Court on Friday, protesting the recent ruling on a Democratic gerrymandering referendum.
The court invalidated a referendum that could have changed the political landscape by flipping four Democratic seats. The protester, Michelle Jump, loudly shouted “shame” as she walked along the sidewalk, arguing that Virginians were being denied their rights.
“Shame on you! Shame on every single Supreme Court justice who voted to take away our rights as a people! Shame on you! Shame on you for taking away our ability to voice our opinions! …Shame on you! Shame on you!” she declared.
Virginia voters had narrowly passed the referendum on April 21, with a 51% to 48% vote. However, a ruling on April 22 from the Virginia Circuit Court in Tazewell County deemed the redistricting vote unconstitutional, subsequently leading the issue to the Supreme Court. That court found that the state Legislature failed to follow the required constitutional procedures necessary to present the measure to voters.
The Virginia Constitution mandates that any amendments must pass through two election stages with a chance for voters to hold lawmakers accountable in between. The General Assembly did not approve the amendment until after early voting had begun for the 2025 House elections.
This decision ensures that Republicans in Virginia can retain five seats. Meanwhile, other states like Florida, Tennessee, and California are adjusting their congressional maps in preparation for the upcoming 2026 midterm elections. Florida’s Republican Governor Ron DeSantis recently signed a new map that may result in four additional seats for Republicans in the U.S. House. Similarly, Tennessee’s Republican Governor Bill Lee approved a map that removes the state’s only Democratic congressional seat.
In Mississippi, Republican Governor Tate Reeves mentioned that the state Legislature is gearing up for a special session aimed at redrawing maps after the Supreme Court struck down race-based redistricting.
