The Supreme Court has stopped Virginia Democrats from moving forward with efforts to redraw the state’s congressional maps ahead of the midterm elections.
On Friday, the high court overturned a recent Virginia Supreme Court decision that would have allowed Democrats to continue their redistricting push, though the justices did not explain the reasoning behind the ruling, Axios reported.
How did Virginia Democrats begin their redistricting push?
Virginia Democrats launched their redistricting effort after President Donald Trump encouraged Republican-led states to redraw congressional maps last summer in an effort to strengthen the GOP’s position ahead of the November midterms, according to the New York Times.
Republicans quickly found success with the strategy, with Texas becoming the first state to redraw its maps. California Democrats later responded with redistricting efforts of their own, prompting several additional states from both parties to pursue similar moves.
When Virginia Democrats introduced their redistricting proposal in the fall, lawmakers approved the amendment shortly before the legislative election. At the time, early voting was already underway and more than 1 million voters had already cast ballots.
Democrats took another step forward in April when their redistricting plan was approved through a statewide referendum.
Why did Republicans challenge Virginia Democrats’ redistricting plans?
Republicans argued that Democrats could not legally begin the redistricting process after the election had already started.
In a May 8 ruling, the Virginia Supreme Court sided with Republicans. Democrats continued challenging the decision, arguing that the court misinterpreted how an “election” is defined under federal law.
Democrats also argued that the state court exceeded its authority because state legislatures hold near-exclusive power to regulate federal elections.
The legal battle continued as Republicans maintained that Democrats “have no case on the merits.”
Following the Supreme Court’s latest decision, Democrats are now blocked from potentially gaining four congressional seats. Virginia’s current congressional map, which includes six Democratic-held seats and five Republican-held seats, will remain in place for the upcoming midterm elections.
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