Democrats’ Push for Mid-Decade Congressional Redistricting – Major Setback!

🚨 BREAKING: Tazewell County Judge Issues Temporary Restraining Order – Blocks April 21 Referendum Preparations!

As of February 19, 2026 (evening): Virginia Republicans score another huge win! Circuit Court Judge Jack Hurley granted an emergency temporary restraining order (TRO) halting all preparations for the Democrats’ proposed April 21, 2026 special referendum on mid-decade redistricting. This blocks early voting setup (originally set to begin early March) and effectively freezes the process pending appeal or further hearing.

Democrats aimed to override Virginia’s voter-approved independent redistricting commission (passed in 2020) to redraw congressional maps mid-decade, potentially flipping up to 4 Republican-held seats and turning our 6D-5R delegation into a disastrous 10D-1R map — all to counter GOP map adjustments in other states like Texas and North Carolina.

Why This Matters to Fauquier County & VA-10

Fauquier is in Virginia’s 10th Congressional District (currently Republican-held). The proposed Democrat map could redraw boundaries to dilute GOP strength by pulling in more blue-leaning suburban areas, undermining fair representation and the anti-gerrymandering reforms Virginians overwhelmingly supported in 2020.

Key Timeline of Democrat Failures & GOP Victories

Date	Event	Details
Oct 2025	Initial Push	Democrats pass amendment resolution in special session to enable mid-decade redraw.
Jan 27, 2026	First Major Block	Judge Hurley rules amendment invalid due to procedural violations (special session misuse, timing near election).
Feb 13, 2026	VA Supreme Court Step	Denies pause; allows referendum to proceed while appeal expedited.
Feb 18, 2026	New Lawsuit Filed	RNC, NRCC, Reps. Ben Cline & Morgan Griffith challenge ballot timing/phrasing.
Feb 19, 2026	BREAKING WIN!	Judge Hurley grants emergency TRO – referendum prep frozen! Democrats vow appeal, but timeline is extremely tight.

What’s Next?

• Democrats will likely appeal immediately (possibly back to VA Supreme Court).
• Monitor the docket for fast-moving developments — this could decide whether any vote happens in 2026.
• GOP arguments remain strong: This violates our Constitution, election laws, and the spirit of independent redistricting Virginians voted for.

Stay Vigilant, Fauquier Republicans!
Share this page – spread the facts and keep fighting this partisan power grab! 🇺🇸🗳️

Sources & Further Reading

• Democracy Docket – Judge Blocks Redistricting Vote
• Virginia Mercury – Court Halts April 21 Vote
• WTOP/AP – Temporary Block on Redistricting Effort
• Ballotpedia – Amendment Overview & Litigation

Fauquier County Republican Committee | Promoting and Preserving Conservative Leadership
Last Updated: February 19, 2026 | @CommsGop52463