ALEXANDRIA, VA – This week, Honest Elections Project filed an amicus brief in the Virginia Supreme Court arguing the April 21st Virginia redistricting referendum is illegal because the legislature violated the Virginia Constitution by extending their special session in order to pass the amendment. The brief asserts that:

  • Indefinite special sessions are inconsistent with the durational limits on legislative sessions in Article IV, Section 6 of the Virginia Constitution.
  • Indefinite special sessions violate Article IV, Section 6 and the separation of powers by trenching upon the governor’s authority to convene a special session.
  • Indefinite special sessions would create absurd results under Article IV, Section 13’s provisions regarding the effective date of laws enacted at a special session.

In closing, the brief urges the Court to uphold the rule of law by declaring the redistricting amendment void because it was first passed in an unlawful special session.

Jason Snead, Executive Director of Honest Elections Project, released the following statement: 

“This blatant power grab is not only highly misleading and unpopular, it’s also illegal. The Virginia Supreme Court has an opportunity to step in and protect Virginians from this gross overstep by affirming the circuit court’s decision and striking down this illegal referendum.”

A copy of the brief can be found HERE.