Virginia Supreme Court blocks redistricting referendum
The Supreme Court of Virginia invalidated a voter-approved redistricting referendum on Friday, ruling that lawmakers failed to follow the constitutional process required to place the measure on the ballot and halting Democrat-led efforts to implement a new congressional map.
TL;DR
- The Supreme Court of Virginia invalidated a redistricting referendum approved by voters.
- The court ruled that lawmakers did not follow the correct constitutional process to place the measure on the ballot.
- The decision halts Democrat-led efforts to implement a new congressional map in Virginia.
- The majority opinion cited that the legislative approval occurred too late in the election cycle, after early voting had begun.
- The referendum aimed to change Virginia's congressional split from 6-5 to 10-1 in favor of Democrats.
- A dissenting opinion argued that the majority misinterpreted the constitutional definition of 'election' by including early voting.
- The ruling means Virginia will retain its existing congressional map from the 2022 elections.
- The case highlights the tension between evolving voting practices and constitutional requirements.