Today, Senate Republican Leader Ryan T. McDougle released the following statement regarding the Supreme Court of Virginia’s ruling in Scott v. McDougle.
“The Supreme Court ruling today affirms what we all know: you cannot violate the Constitution to change the Constitution.
“The Justices of the Supreme Court of Virginia after careful and thorough review of this matter affirmed that even the General Assembly must follow the law. This ruling is not a partisan one – it is a constitutional one. The rule of law is the foundation of our Commonwealth, and today it has been upheld. Every Virginian wins.”
(AP) The Virginia Supreme Court has struck down a voter-approved Democratic congressional redistricting plan. AP reports that the court ruled that the state’s Democratic-led legislature violated procedural requirements when it placed the constitutional amendment on the ballot to authorize the mid-decade redistricting. Voters narrowly approved the amendment April 21, but the court’s ruling renders the results of that vote meaningless.
Attorney General Jay Jones released the following statement in response to the Virginia Supreme Court decision in Virginia’s redistricting case.
“Today the Supreme Court of Virginia has chosen to put politics over the rule of law by issuing a ruling that overturns the April 21st special election on redistricting. This decision silences the voices of the millions of Virginians who cast their ballots in every corner of the Commonwealth, and it fuels the growing fears across our nation about the state of our democracy.
As Attorney General, it is my job to enforce the laws on the books and defend the will of the people. Before the Court, my office clearly laid out both in filings and oral arguments that this constitutional amendment process and voter ratification occurred in a timely, constitutionally-
The Republican-led majority of the Supreme Court of Virginia contorted the plain language of the Constitution and Code of Virginia to give it a meaning that was never intended, which allowed them to reach the wrong legal conclusion that fit their political agenda. The consequences of their error are grave.
The strength and stability of our democracy depends on adherence to the rule of law, the execution of free and fair elections where every eligible voter can cast their ballots to choose their leaders, and public trust in the institutions that provide accountability and protect our democratic processes. This Court’s ruling follows a dangerous trend of tilting power away from the people.
My team is carefully reviewing this unprecedented order and we are evaluating every legal pathway forward to defend the will of the people and protect the integrity of Virginia’s elections.”
Previous: The Supreme Court of Virginia has struck down the April 21st redistricting referendum. We will have more details when they become available.
