A Democratic candidate in Virginia’s House of Delegates race is facing a legal challenge over her residency, which could impact control of the chamber in 2026. Stacey Carroll, running in District 64, is accused by three Stafford County voters of not living in the district she seeks to represent. The plaintiffs argue she resides in the neighboring 23rd District, raising questions about her eligibility.

The lawsuit states that Carroll actually lives near U.S. Route 1 in Aquia, within District 23, but uses a different address in Stafford Court House to qualify for District 64. That address is reportedly associated with another family. A 1966 Virginia court decision places the burden of proof on the candidate in residency disputes, making Carroll responsible for demonstrating her eligibility.

If allowed to remain on the ballot, Carroll will face Republican Delegate Paul Milde in a district that narrowly supported Donald Trump in 2024. If she is found to reside in Aquia, her home district would be represented by Democrat Candi King, whose seat is considered safely Democratic. With only a slim majority in the House of Delegates, every seat could be critical in determining party control.

Elsewhere in Virginia, Republicans are working to defend key seats like that of Delegate A.C. Cordoza in Hampton Roads. Cordoza, the chamber’s only Black Republican, represents a competitive district. High-profile GOP leaders including Governor Glenn Youngkin and Lt. Governor Winsome Earle-Sears have campaigned to support vulnerable incumbents.

Control of the Virginia Senate is also in play, with Republican John Reid challenging Democratic Senator Ghazala Hashmi. The outcome of that race could tip the balance of power, as the lieutenant governor holds tie-breaking authority in the chamber.

In a related development, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Virginia can continue removing non-citizens from voter rolls, reversing a lower court’s earlier decision and siding with the state’s interpretation of voter registration laws.