Democrats ask Virginia Supreme Court not to overrule will of voters on redistricting

Key Points:

• The Virginia Supreme Court heard arguments regarding challenges to Democrats’ redistricting plan approved by voters in a recent special election, focusing on whether the election and new congressional map were legitimate under state constitutional procedures.
• Republicans argue that Democrats violated procedural rules by reconvening an open special session without an intervening election and failing to publish required notices, while Democrats contend courts cannot enforce the legislature’s internal rules and emphasize respecting voters’ will.
• The court showed some skepticism toward Democrats but previously allowed the special election to proceed during ongoing litigation, signaling reluctance to overturn voter-approved measures.
• The new 10-1 congressional map, if implemented, could shift up to four seats toward Democrats in the 2026 midterms and counter GOP gerrymanders in other states, but it must survive multiple pending lawsuits to take effect.
• Additional challenges remain, including lawsuits on district compactness and procedural issues, with the Supreme Court’s ruling on the current case likely influencing the outcome of other pending legal disputes.