Virginia votes on Democratic redistricting plan for US House
AP News • • nation
Key Points:
- Virginia voters are deciding on a constitutional amendment that would allow the use of newly redrawn congressional districts approved by state lawmakers, bypassing the bipartisan redistricting commission, potentially boosting Democrats' chances in the U.S. House elections.
- The referendum reflects a broader national battle over mid-decade redistricting, initiated by Republicans in Texas to gain electoral advantage, with Democrats seeking to counterbalance through similar efforts in states like California and Virginia.
- The vote has sparked significant political engagement, with Democrats heavily funding the campaign for the amendment and Republicans, including former Governor Glenn Youngkin and former President Trump, opposing it as unfair gerrymandering.
- The proposed map could increase Democratic U.S. House seats in Virginia from six to as many as ten by reshaping districts to dilute conservative voting blocs and consolidate Democratic-leaning areas.
- Legal challenges are ongoing, with a lower court ruling the redistricting process illegal due to procedural issues; the state Supreme Court is reviewing the case, which could invalidate the referendum results.
