The Supreme Court of Virginia struck down a Democratic-backed congressional redistricting plan Friday, handing Republicans a major political victory ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

The court ruled 4-3 that Virginia lawmakers violated constitutional procedures when placing a redistricting amendment on the ballot, invalidating a statewide referendum voters had narrowly approved in April.

Court says lawmakers violated constitutional process

Writing for the majority, Justice D. Arthur Kelsey said the legislature handled the amendment process in an “unprecedented manner” that undermined the integrity of the referendum.

The ruling focused on procedural requirements rather than the actual design of the congressional districts.

According to the court, lawmakers approved the constitutional amendment too late because early voting for the general election had already begun.

The majority concluded that the referendum therefore became “null and void.”

Decision deals blow to Democrats’ House strategy

Democrats had hoped the new congressional map would help the party gain as many as four additional seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The plan formed part of a broader national strategy to counter Republican-led redistricting efforts in states such as Texas, Florida, and Ohio.

President Donald Trump celebrated the ruling on social media, calling it a “huge win for the Republican Party.”

Republican leaders argued the Democratic map unfairly favored one party and could have significantly distorted congressional representation in Virginia.

Democrats criticize ruling despite voter approval

Democratic leaders condemned the decision, arguing it overturned the will of voters who approved the amendment last month.

Don Scott said voters supported the measure because they wanted to “fight back against the Trump power grab.”

Meanwhile, Suzan DelBene said Democrats still expect voters to support the party in November despite the legal setback.

Redistricting fight intensifies nationwide

The Virginia ruling adds to an escalating nationwide battle over congressional maps before the midterm elections.

Redistricting typically happens once every decade after the U.S. census. However, Trump encouraged Republican-led states last year to redraw maps earlier in an effort to strengthen the GOP’s narrow House majority.

Democratic-controlled states responded with new maps of their own, creating an unusually aggressive mid-decade redistricting cycle.

Recent court decisions, including a major Supreme Court of the United States ruling weakening parts of the Voting Rights Act, have further intensified the political struggle over district boundaries.

Court questioned partisan imbalance in proposed map

Virginia’s proposed Democratic map would likely have benefited Democrats heavily despite Republicans winning roughly 47% of the congressional vote statewide in 2024.

Several justices noted the new districts could have resulted in Democrats controlling up to 91% of Virginia’s congressional delegation.

The map would have strengthened Democratic influence in northern Virginia, Richmond, Hampton Roads, and several college communities across western Virginia.

Debate centered on definition of “election”

The central legal dispute involved whether Virginia’s constitutional rules treat early voting as part of the election period.

Lawyers defending the legislature argued the election should be defined as Election Day itself.

Opponents argued the election begins once early voting starts, meaning lawmakers acted too late to meet constitutional requirements.

The court ultimately sided with challengers, emphasizing that more than 1.3 million Virginians had already voted before lawmakers initially approved the amendment.

Dissent warns ruling creates uncertainty

In dissent, Chief Justice Cleo Powell argued the majority created confusion by broadly defining the election period.

Powell wrote that the majority’s interpretation creates an “infinite voting loop” with no clear beginning other than Election Day.

The ruling leaves Virginia’s current congressional districts in place heading into the 2026 elections.

Author: Staff Writer | Edited for WTFwire.com | SOURCE: AP News