Explainer

What the Virginia Court Ruling Means for Democrats

“Vote No” and Vote Yes” signs during the special election in Arlington, Virginia, on April 21.Source: Bloomberg

The Virginia Supreme Court ruling throwing out a new, Democrat-backed congressional map delivered a fresh jolt to a nationwide battle that could determine which party controls the US House of Representatives.

The state’s highest court ruled on May 8 that the legislature’s process for pursuing the new map violated Virginia’s constitution. Voters in Virginia had approved the revised map in an April 21 referendum by a narrow margin.