CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – The Virginia Supreme Court has set an agenda for considering the redistricting constitutional amendment, but procedures will have “no effect on the referendum scheduled for April 21, 2026”.

The referendum takes place that day, but a schedule for pre-trial motions and briefs range until April 23 before any sort of arguments are set.

While the referendum can take place, the Elias Law Group who is representing intervening defendants in the case, pointed out in their Democracy Docket publication noted Democrats will still have to defend the case in which a Tazewell Circuit Judge ruled against and is on appeal.

It’s possible voters can approve the new map the state’s Democratic majority and Gov. Abigail Spanberger are putting forward, but the high court could possibly void such a voter approval.

“Oral argument, if any, will be scheduled at a date and time selected by the Court,” the 4-page Supreme Court decision said.

Though the arguments won’t happen before the spring referendum, the Supreme Court said they are expediting the process, because “the case is of such imperative public importance as to justify the deviation from normal appellate practice and to require a prompt decision in this Court.”