Democrats’ Midterm Math Takes Hit as Court Axes Virginia Map
Sample ballots and voter information signs at a polling location during early voting on a proposed constitutional amendment in Falls Church, Virginia on March 20.
Photographer: Graeme Sloan/BloombergDemocrats were dealt a blow in their efforts to minimize Republican redistricting gains around the US when the Virginia Supreme Court on Friday blocked a voter-approved map that would have flipped as many as four GOP-held US House seats in November’s midterm elections.
The decision was a victory for Republicans who are trying to maximize partisan advantages ahead of the November vote. Both parties have attempted redrawing congressional districts but Republican states have had an edge in court. The Virginia plan, backed by state Democratic leaders including Governor Abigail Spanberger, came in response to a redistricting effort by Republicans that started in Texas last year but had seemingly ended last month in a stalemate.