Virginia Supreme Court allows redistricting special election to move forward

The Virginia Supreme Court on Friday authorized a referendum that could pave the way for a new congressional map that heavily favors Democrats appearing on the ballot this spring.

The move is a victory for Democrats who are seeking to gain up to four seats in this year’s midterm elections through their redistricting efforts. Voters will decide in a special election on April 21 whether to approve a constitutional amendment that would allow the redrawn map to take effect.

Still, the ruling does not end the broader legal challenge over the Democrats’ redistricting maneuver. The state Supreme Court said it may schedule oral arguments and set a timetable for opening briefs in the case. A final decision would almost certainly come after the special election.

Democrats currently control six of Virginia’s 11 congressional districts.

The Democratic-controlled Legislature has twice approved a measure to amend the state Constitution and scheduled a special election for April. But last month, a lower court ruled that Democratic lawmakers made a procedural error.

While some state lawmakers have successfully redrawn congressional maps through legislation, Virginia’s constitution requires a bipartisan redistricting commission to manage the process. After several Republican-controlled states adopted new maps, Virginia Democrats began a complex effort to amend the constitution to allow them to respond by redrawing district boundaries.

“Today’s order is a huge victory for Virginia voters,” said Dan Gottlieb, a spokesman for Virginians for Fair Elections, a group campaigning for the redistricting amendment. “This has always been a procedural challenge aimed at preventing voters from having a say. The referendum is happening and Virginians remain responsible for their own elections.”