Supreme Court rejects Virginia’s bid to restore congressional map favoring Democrats

Key Points:

• The U.S. Supreme Court, without dissent, declined to intervene in a Virginia Supreme Court ruling that struck down a constitutional amendment approved by voters last month, which aimed to redraw congressional districts to benefit Democrats.
• The Virginia Supreme Court found that the Democratic-controlled legislature improperly initiated the amendment process after early voting had started in the previous general election, invalidating the amendment.
• Virginia Democrats argued the state court misapplied federal law, noting that elections legally occur on Election Day despite early voting, but the Supreme Court did not accept this argument.
• The decision means Virginia will hold elections using the current 2021 district maps, a move criticized by Democratic officials as part of a broader national effort by Republicans and conservative courts to suppress voting rights.
• Virginia Republicans praised the ruling, asserting it prevents Democrats from disenfranchising voters and maintains the existing district lines ahead of the August primaries.