TAZEWELL COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- A Tazewell County judge on Thursday has yet again blocked Virginia Democrats' attempt to redraw the state's congressional districts in late April. A judge ruled in Republicans' favor on Thursday, Feb. 19, saying that the green-light voter referendum to redraw the cong ressional maps, which would have been April 21, cannot proceed as planned. The court ordered the Virginia Department of Elections to stop any actions related to what would have been the late April referendum -- just a day after the Republican National Committee (RNC), National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) and two GOP congressmen have filed a lawsuit to stop redistricting plans proposed by Democrats. The suit challenges Democrats’ redistricting plans on the basis of these efforts being unconstitutional, misleading and setting up an unfair advantage for Democrats in future elections. The Virginia Supreme Court previously ruled that the referendum can move forward as planned, though, due to ongoing litigation, the court must also consider Democrats’ appeal to challenge the lower court's ruling that determined the redistricting efforts illegal. Voters would have had the opportunity to decide whether to allow the new congressional map that was released in early February, which would several congressional districts change substantially, multiple new districts becoming more diverse and almost all of the new districts favoring Democrats. This is not the first time a Tazewell County judge blocked Democrats' attempt to redraw Virginia's congressional maps. In late January, the Tazewell judge blocked Democrats' redistricting amendment, ruling that the General Assembly violated 2024 Special Session procedures. Democrats argue that their new plans aim to protect democracy after President Donald Trump successfully lobbied several Republican states, such as Texas and Missouri, to redraw their congressional maps to benefit Republicans. "My office will immediately appeal the ruling issued by the Tazewell County Circuit Court," said Attorney General Jay Jones in a statement. "These arguments are already before the Supreme Court of Virginia, the proper forum to consider the arguments, which has set a schedule for receiving arguments and has justifiably allowed the vote to proceed during this time."  House Speaker Don Scott (D-Portsmouth) shared the following statement regarding this recent ruling: “Republicans ran back to the same judge – even though the law requires these cases to be filed in Richmond – in a second attempt to take this issue away from the voters. The Supreme Court of Virginia has already made clear that this matter will go to the voters, but Republicans unhappy with that ruling went back to their friendly judge. I am confident this will be overturned. Voters will decide this referendum." General Assembly GOP leaders, Sen. Ryan McDougle (R-4th District) Del. Terry Kilgore (R-45th District) also shared the following statement with 8News: "Today’s grant of a Temporary Restraining Order by the Tazewell Circuit Court is a necessary step to protect Virginia voters from an illegal and rushed redistricting referendum. The Constitution sets clear rules for how amendments must be advanced. Those rules were not properly followed. Plain and simple. Virginians deserve transparency, fairness, and adherence to the law - not backroom deals. We welcome the court’s action and will continue to defend the integrity of the Commonwealth’s Constitution.” The ruling can be viewed in full below: Tazewell judge ruling on Feb 19Download This is a developing story, stay with 8News for updates. ...read more read less