The Virginia Constitution gives voters the final say on whether to amend the document, but the state's highest court ultimately could decide whether to allow the General Assembly to redraw congressional maps this year, even if voters approve the plan next month.
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State Senate Minority Leader Ryan McDougle, R-Hanover, seen on Jan. 30, is one of three Republican lawmakers who filed the first of two redistricting lawsuits pending before the Virginia Supreme Court.
"It would be very rare for the Supreme Court to overturn the will of the majority of Virginians, when the State Constitution appears to be with us," said Del. Dan Helmer, D-Fairfax, who oversaw Democratic election campaigns last fall that gave them a 64-36 majority in the House.
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Speaker Don Scott, D-Portsmouth, presides over the House of Delegates in the Virginia state Capitol on Jan. 28, a day after Tazewell County Circuit Court Chief Judge Jack Hurley Jr. issued his ruling.
Photos: Justice Cleo Powell is sworn in as chief justice of the Virginia Supreme Court
Chief Justice Cleo E. Powell smiles after taking the oath during her investiture ceremony at the Virginia Supreme Court on Monday. Powell, who was elected to the position last August, formally took her place in that role Monday, though she's been serving as chief justice since Jan. 1. Powell is the first African American woman to lead the seven-member court. VIEW: See more photos from the ceremony by aiming your cellphone camera at the QR code and tapping the link.
Chief Justice Cleo E. Powell smiles after taking the oath in the chamber of the Supreme Court of Virginia, in Richmond, Va., March 2, 2026.
Chief Justice Cleo E. Powell smiles during her investiture ceremony in the chamber of the Supreme Court of Virginia, in Richmond, Va., March 2, 2026.
Former Virginia Gov. Douglas Wilder, left, greets Chief Justice Cleo E. Powell during her investiture ceremony in the chamber of the Supreme Court of Virginia, in Richmond, Va., March 2, 2026.
Chief Justice Cleo E. Powell gestures to portraits of former chief justices during her investiture ceremony in the chamber of the Supreme Court of Virginia, in Richmond, Va., March 2, 2026.
Chief Justice Cleo E. Powell smiles after taking the oath during her investiture ceremony in the chamber of the Supreme Court of Virginia, in Richmond, Va., March 2, 2026.
Chief Justice Cleo E. Powell listens during her investiture ceremony in the chamber of the Supreme Court of Virginia, in Richmond, Va., March 2, 2026.
Chief Justice Cleo E. Powell speaks during the investiture ceremony of Chief Justice Cleo E. Powell in the chamber of the Supreme Court of Virginia, in Richmond, Va., March 2, 2026.
Chief Justice Cleo E. Powell holds hands with her husband, Alvin Dilworth, during her investiture ceremony in the chamber of the Supreme Court of Virginia, in Richmond, Va., March 2, 2026.
Friends and family members of Chief Justice Cleo E. Powell listen during her investiture ceremony in the chamber of the Supreme Court of Virginia, in Richmond, Va., March 2, 2026.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger becomes emotional during the investiture ceremony of Chief Justice Cleo E. Powell in the chamber of the Supreme Court of Virginia, in Richmond, Va., March 2, 2026.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger, left, shakes hands with former Gov. L. Douglas Wilder, during the investiture ceremony of Chief Justice Cleo E. Powell in the chamber of the Supreme Court of Virginia, in Richmond, Va., March 2, 2026.
House Speaker Don Scott speaks during the investiture ceremony of Chief Justice Cleo E. Powell in the chamber of the Supreme Court of Virginia on Monday.
Former Gov. Doug Wilders speaks during the investiture ceremony of Chief Justice Cleo E. Powell in the chamber of the Supreme Court of Virginia, in Richmond, Va., March 2, 2026.
Chief Justice Cleo E. Powell’s husband Alvin Dilworth, right, bows his head in prayer during her investiture ceremony in the chamber of the Supreme Court of Virginia, in Richmond, Va., March 2, 2026.
Former Gov. Doug Wilders speaks during the investiture ceremony of Chief Justice Cleo E. Powell in the chamber of the Supreme Court of Virginia, in Richmond, Va., March 2, 2026.
Justice Wesley G. Russell Jr. listens during the investiture ceremony of Chief Justice Cleo E. Powell in the chamber of the Supreme Court of Virginia, in Richmond, Va., March 2, 2026.
Rep. Jennifer McClellan, D-4th, arrives at the investiture ceremony of Chief Justice Cleo E. Powell in the chamber of the Supreme Court of Virginia, in Richmond, Va., March 2, 2026.
Former Gov. Doug Wilders speaks during the investiture ceremony of Chief Justice Cleo E. Powell in the chamber of the Supreme Court of Virginia, in Richmond, Va., March 2, 2026.
Former Virginia Gov. Douglas Wilder, center, laughs during the investiture ceremony of Chief Justice Cleo E. Powell in the chamber of the Supreme Court of Virginia, in Richmond, Va., March 2, 2026.
House Speaker Don Scott, right, greets Richmond Mayor Danny Avula during the investiture ceremony of Chief Justice Cleo E. Powell in the chamber of the Supreme Court of Virginia, in Richmond, Va., March 2, 2026.
Richmond Mayor Danny Avula arrives at the investiture ceremony of Chief Justice Cleo E. Powell in the chamber of the Supreme Court of Virginia, in Richmond, Va., March 2, 2026.
Justice D. Arthur Kelsey speaks during the investiture ceremony of Chief Justice Cleo E. Powell in the chamber of the Supreme Court of Virginia, in Richmond, Va., March 2, 2026.
Justice Stephen R. McCullough listens during the investiture ceremony of Chief Justice Cleo E. Powell in the chamber of the Supreme Court of Virginia, in Richmond, Va., March 2, 2026.
Justice Stephen R. McCullough listens during the investiture ceremony of Chief Justice Cleo E. Powell in the chamber of the Supreme Court of Virginia, in Richmond, Va., March 2, 2026.
Former Virginia Gov. Douglas Wilder greets people during the investiture ceremony of Chief Justice Cleo E. Powell in the chamber of the Supreme Court of Virginia, in Richmond, Va., March 2, 2026.
Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, speaks during the investiture ceremony of Chief Justice Cleo E. Powell in the chamber of the Supreme Court of Virginia, in Richmond, Va., March 2, 2026.
Former Virginia Gov. Douglas Wilder, left, embraces Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, during the investiture ceremony of Chief Justice Cleo E. Powell in the chamber of the Supreme Court of Virginia, in Richmond, Va., March 2, 2026.
Justice Junius P. Fulton, III prepares to take his seat during the investiture ceremony of Chief Justice Cleo E. Powell in the chamber of the Supreme Court of Virginia, in Richmond, Va., March 2, 2026.
Speaker Don Scott, right, greets Attorney General Jay Jones during the investiture ceremony of Chief Justice Cleo E. Powell in the chamber of the Supreme Court of Virginia, in Richmond, Va., March 2, 2026.
Justice Thomas P. Mann prepares to take his seat during the investiture ceremony of Chief Justice Cleo E. Powell in the chamber of the Supreme Court of Virginia, in Richmond, Va., March 2, 2026.
Justice Teresa M. Chafin takes her seat during the investiture ceremony of Chief Justice Cleo E. Powell in the chamber of the Supreme Court of Virginia, in Richmond, Va., March 2, 2026.
Justice D. Arthur Kelsey speaks during the investiture ceremony of Chief Justice Cleo E. Powell in the chamber of the Supreme Court of Virginia, in Richmond, Va., March 2, 2026.
Justice D. Arthur Kelsey, second from right, speaks during the investiture ceremony of Chief Justice Cleo E. Powell in the chamber of the Supreme Court of Virginia, in Richmond, Va., March 2, 2026.
Justice Thomas P. Mann listens during the investiture ceremony of Chief Justice Cleo E. Powell in the chamber of the Supreme Court of Virginia, in Richmond, Va., March 2, 2026.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger speaks during the investiture ceremony of Chief Justice Cleo E. Powell in the chamber of the Supreme Court of Virginia, in Richmond, Va., March 2, 2026.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger speaks during the investiture ceremony of Chief Justice Cleo E. Powell in the chamber of the Supreme Court of Virginia, in Richmond, Va., March 2, 2026.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger laughs during the investiture ceremony of Chief Justice Cleo E. Powell in the chamber of the Supreme Court of Virginia, in Richmond, Va., March 2, 2026.
