Democratic leaders, including Virginia House Speaker Don Scott and Attorney General Jay Jones, filed a motion late Friday seeking to pause the state court’s ruling while they pursue an emergency appeal before the U.S. Supreme Court. Jeffries, meanwhile, vowed the ruling “will not stand.”

The Virginia Supreme Court concluded that the Democratic-controlled legislature failed to follow required procedures when placing a constitutional amendment on the ballot authorizing mid-decade redistricting. Although voters narrowly approved the amendment on April 21, the court’s decision effectively invalidated the result.

Writing for the majority, Justice D. Arthur Kelsey said lawmakers presented the constitutional amendment to voters “in an unprecedented manner.” He added, “This violation irreparably undermines the integrity of the resulting referendum vote and renders it null and void.”