Judge blocks referendum certification; appeal coming

(The Center Square) – A Virginia circuit court judge has blocked certification of a special election tied to the state’s redistricting amendment, with state officials preparing to appeal the decision and candidate filing deadline five weeks away.

The referendum was decided by voters Tuesday. With all precincts in, the Virginia Department of Elections ruled the yes votes an unofficial winner 51.5%-48.6% from more than 3 million cast. The totals, still pending mailed votes counted by noon Friday, on Wednesday afternoon were 1,575,288-1,486,229.

A hearing was held Wednesday in Tazewell County Circuit Court in an injunction case challenging the referendum, according to court records. The case involves plaintiffs including the Republican National Committee and other GOP-affiliated groups and names the Virginia Department of Elections among the defendants.

Officials involved in the case said the court issued an injunction blocking the State Board of Elections from certifying the results. A written order was not i...