Virginia Gerrymander Foiled by Democrats' Election Month
The Virginia Supreme Court struck down the Democratic Party’s partisan gerrymander of the state’s congressional map Friday, holding that because Virginia’s lengthy voting process had begun well before the General Assembly approved the new map, the constitutionally required intervening election between amendment proposals had not occurred.
TL;DR
- The Virginia Supreme Court struck down the Democratic Party's partisan gerrymander of the state's congressional map.
- The ruling was based on the Virginia Constitution's requirement for an intervening election between amendment proposals, which did not occur.
- Voting for the House of Delegates began six weeks before the General Assembly approved the new map, with approximately 40% of voters having already cast ballots.
- The court rejected the Democratic argument that 'Election Day' satisfying the intervening election requirement, calling the view unprecedented.
- Democrats reportedly spent over $70 million on their gerrymandering campaign.
- Virginia Senate President pro tempore Louise Lucas was a key proponent of the amendment.