With Virginia vote, Democrats get ahead of Trump’s redistricting : NPR

Key Points:

• Virginia voters narrowly approved a Democratic-backed constitutional amendment allowing lawmakers to implement a new congressional map directly, potentially shifting the state's House delegation from 6 Democrats and 4 Republicans to as many as 10 Democrats and 1 Republican.
• The redistricting move in Virginia faces legal challenges but could give Democrats an edge in the midterm elections, countering Republican efforts nationally, including those led by former President Trump pushing for maps favoring GOP candidates.
• Republicans have pursued mid-decade redistricting in several states like Texas, North Carolina, Missouri, and Ohio to gain House seats, while Democrats have secured gains in California and Utah, resulting in a national net advantage of 10 seats for Democrats through redistricting.
• Florida may soon consider redistricting under Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, though recent Democratic special election gains there make it uncertain if Republicans will attempt to redraw maps that could increase competitiveness in their current districts.
• The U.S. Supreme Court is reviewing a case that could weaken the federal Voting Rights Act, potentially reducing the ability to challenge racial gerrymandering and enabling some GOP-led states to expedite voting map changes before the elections.