Roanoke County supervisors unanimously adopt resolution opposing April 21 referendum on mid‑decade redistricting

The Roanoke County Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted a resolution Feb. 24 opposing the April 21, 2026 referendum that would grant the Virginia General Assembly temporary authority to redraw the state's congressional districts mid‑decade.

Peter Liebeck, who presented the resolution at the board's direction, outlined legal and procedural concerns tied to the referendum. He cited litigation in Tazewell County, questions about whether the legislature satisfied Virginia's intervening‑election and 90‑day notice rules, and challenges under the single‑subject and special‑session doctrines. Liebeck also noted that Governor Abigail Spanberger had signed legislation related to the referendum and the maps (transcript references 'HB 13 84' and 'House Bill 29'). "It appears likely that the referendum might be held first and that the Supreme Court will rule on the legal challenges after the election," Liebeck said during his presentation.

Board members who spoke during the discussion emphasized concerns about the process and the substance of the proposed maps. One supervisor summarized the board's position, saying the proposed maps "seek to engineer a predetermined partisan outcome" and described the draft as aiming for a "10 to 1" Democratic advantage, language repeated from the resolution text. Another supervisor urged residents to participate in early voting and said, "I hope our citizens will vote no, on this process." The board's resolution expresses "unambiguous opposition" to the proposed amendment and calls on the Virginia Supreme Court and General Assembly to uphold procedural integrity and protect the independent redistricting process.

The motion to adopt the resolution was moved and seconded. The clerk called the roll; Mr. Radford, Mrs. ******, Mr. North, Mr. Mahoney and Mrs. Sheppard each voted "Yes." The board directed the clerk to provide copies of the resolution to the members of the Virginia House of Delegates and Senate who represent Roanoke County and to the county's U.S. representative.

The resolution and the board's action do not change the ongoing litigation. Liebeck told the board the Tazewell Circuit Court had entered an injunction on Feb. 19 and that the Virginia Supreme Court had allowed the referendum to proceed while setting a briefing schedule. The resolution notes the board's concern that holding a special election during pending litigation could create public confusion and erode confidence in the electoral process.

Next steps: the referendum is scheduled for April 21, 2026; legal challenges remain pending before Virginia courts and may affect whether the referendum's results are implemented.