Washington — The Virginia Supreme Courtroom on Friday tossed out a congressional redistricting referendum handed by Virginia voters final month, putting a blow to Democrats hoping to realize a extra favorable map and enhance their variety of seats within the U.S. Home of Representatives.
The choice overturns voters’ approval of a brand new congressional map that might have given Democrats a bonus in 10 Home districts, leaving only one secure Republican seat. Though each of Virginia’s U.S. senators are Democrats, its Home delegation is cut up with six Democratic representatives and 5 Republican representatives.
“We maintain that the legislative course of employed to advance this proposal violated Article XII, Part 1 of the Structure of Virginia,” the opinion says. “This constitutional violation incurably taints the ensuing referendum vote and nullifies its authorized efficacy.”
Virginia Senate Republican Chief Ryan T. McDougle praised the courtroom’s choice in Scott v. McDougle.
“The Supreme Courtroom ruling right this moment affirms what everyone knows: you can’t violate the Structure to alter the Structure,” McDougle mentioned. “The justices of the Supreme Courtroom of Virginia after cautious and thorough evaluation of this matter affirmed that even the Basic Meeting should comply with the regulation.”
Democratic Speaker of the Virginia Home of Delegates Don Scott mentioned, “We respect the choice of the Supreme Courtroom of Virginia. I am proud that Virginians got here out in historic numbers, made their voices heard, and despatched a message not simply right here at residence — however throughout the nation — to Donald Trump and his administration.”
For his half, President Trump praised the choice as a “enormous win for the Republican Social gathering, and America, in Virginia.”
Numerous states try to reconfigure their congressional maps after Texas in 2025 tried to redistrict to be extra favorable to Republicans. California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, then introduced the Golden State would attempt to reshape its map in response. Since then, each crimson and blue states have taken to their state legislatures to redistrict.
Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia alluded to the nationwide redistricting combat in an announcement following the courtroom choice.
“Not like GOP-led states that redrew their congressional maps in backroom offers, Virginia let the individuals resolve,” he mentioned. “However the Virginia Supreme Courtroom has blocked the individuals’s alternative. So we’ve to marketing campaign and win on their maps. We will do it!”
Congressional Redistricting
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