Virginia Judge Blocks Democratic Redistricting Push Ahead of Midterms

A Virginia judge has halted an effort by state Democrats to move forward with a new congressional map that could have favored the party, marking a significant setback ahead of the upcoming U.S. midterm elections. Judge Jack Hurley Jr. of the Tazewell County Circuit Court ruled that the process used to advance a proposed constitutional amendment allowing lawmakers to redraw district boundaries was invalid, saying it was introduced too close to the state’s last election. The decision comes as redistricting battles intensify nationwide, with control of the narrowly divided U.S. House of Representatives at stake.

Democrats need to gain just three Republican-held seats to secure a majority in the 435-member House, making district boundaries crucial. Virginia Democrats had hoped the amendment would pave the way for a new map that could potentially increase their advantage in the state from the current 6–5 split to as much as 10–1. Don Scott, the Democratic Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates, said the party plans to appeal the ruling. Lawmakers had been considering a special election this spring and intended to present a proposed map to voters beforehand.

The case reflects a broader national wave of redistricting disputes between the two major parties. While redistricting traditionally follows the U.S. Census each decade, political leaders in several states have recently pushed for mid-decade changes. Former President Donald Trump previously encouraged Texas Republicans to redraw districts targeting Democratic incumbents, while California Democrats responded with their own revised map aimed at Republican seats. Similar moves in other states have fueled legal and political clashes as both parties seek an edge before November’s elections.

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