Virginia’s Supreme Court nullified a voter-approved Democratic redistricting plan on procedural grounds, handing Republicans a major advantage in the battle for congressional control ahead of midterm elections.
The Virginia Supreme Court has struck down a voter-approved Democratic congressional redistricting plan in a 4-3 ruling, dealing a significant blow to the party’s hopes of gaining ground in this year’s midterm elections. The court ruled that the Democratic-led legislature violated procedural requirements when placing the constitutional amendment before voters, who narrowly approved it on April 21.
Writing for the majority, Justice D. Arthur Kelsey declared the referendum “null and void,” saying the legislature submitted the amendment “in an unprecedented manner.”
Democrats had anticipated winning up to four additional U.S. House seats under the redrawn map. The ruling, combined with a recent Supreme Court decision weakening the Voting Rights Act, significantly strengthens Republican gerrymandering advantages heading into the midterms.
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