Virginia state Democrats asked the state Supreme Court Friday to stay its ruling that struck down Virginia's new redistricting maps, signaling they plan to file an emergency appeal to the United States Supreme Court.

The Virginia Supreme Court struck down the state's redistricting referendum earlier Friday, after the referendum was barely approved by voters last month in a special election. The court ruled that the legislative process in which the referendum was created was unconstitutional.

Virginia House Speaker Don Scott and state Attorney General Jay Jones filed the joint resolution, which was reviewed by The Hill, asking the court to “delay issuing its mandate” on the referendum while it filed the emergency appeal.

"Today’s action is an imperative step in the process we promised to pursue to explore every available option to restore the will of the voters," Jones spokesperson Rae Pickett told the outlet. "We will continue moving through that process deliberately, responsibly, and with full respect for the voters who made their voices heard."

U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Jones told Democrats their teams were "exploring all options to overturn this shocking decision.”  

“Virginia voters were with us! This is not the time to despair — this is the time to keep fighting," Scott said on X after the ruling. "Keep your head up and keep moving forward. One battle at a time, one fight after another. We’ve come too far to stop now."

It was not immediately clear when the emergency appeal would be filed to the U.S. Supreme Court and whether the high court plans to take up the emergency request. The state Supreme Court also did not issue an immediate response.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.