A Virginia judge halted the state’s plan to implement new congressional districts, which could potentially enable Democrats to gain four Republican-held House seats in the 2026 midterms.

The Tazewell County judge ruled that a narrowly passed constitutional amendment concerning redistricting was invalid. This decision followed a lawsuit initiated by the Republican National Committee.

Virginia’s Democratic Attorney General, Jay Jones, announced that his office intends to appeal the decision.

“As I mentioned last night, the voices of Virginia’s voters have been heard, and a single judge should not have the power to override their choice,” Jones stated. “We are eager to defend the results of last night’s election in court.”

“As I said last night, Virginia voters have spoken, ​and ​an activist ⁠judge should not have veto power over ​the People’s vote,” Jones said in a statement. “We ​look ⁠forward to defending the outcome of last night’s election in ⁠court.”