Judge Temporarily Blocks Referendum to Redraw Virginia’s Congressional Map

A county judge in Virginia issued an emergency restraining order on Feb. 19, temporarily blocking a referendum backed by Democrats to redraw the state’s congressional maps. Tazewell County Circuit Judge Jack Hurley granted a Feb. 18 motion filed by the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), which argued the referendum was unconstitutional. In his ruling, Hurley said local officials are barred from “administering, preparing for, taking any action to further the procedure of the referendum, or otherwise moving forward with causing an election to be held on the proposed constitutional amendment contained within House Joint Resolution 6007.” The injunction will remain in effect until March 18, according to his ruling....