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Elections · Redistricting · U.S. House · Virginia Politics
Virginia's Supreme Court ruled that voters can proceed with an April 21 referendum on a Democratic-led congressional redistricting plan, a move that could enable Democrats to secure four additional U.S. House seats, despite ongoing legal challenges to the amendment's legality.
This marks the second time the court allowed the referendum, overturning a temporary restraining order from a Tazewell County judge. The court has not yet ruled on the legality of the mid-decade redistricting amendment itself; therefore, the scheduled April vote will be nullified if the top court upholds a lower court ruling blocking the effort.
Early voting begins Friday. The National Republican Congressional Committee filed the initial request for a restraining order.
Virginia House Republican Minority Leader Terry Kilgore expressed confidence in winning the case. President Donald Trump launched a nationwide mid-decade redistricting battle last year.
Republicans believe they can win nine more House seats in Texas, Missouri, North Carolina, and Ohio. Democrats think they can win six more seats in California and Utah, and are hoping to fully or partially make up the remaining three-seat margin in Virginia.
Virginia Democrats, led by House Speaker Don Scott and Governor Abigail Spanberger, passed a new congressional map aiming for four more seats, portraying it as a response to Trump’s overreach. The map only goes into effect if voters back it and the top court approves the amendment process.
