Virginia Court Blocks Vote That Would Help Democrats
Virginia's top court struck down a redistricting vote. Voters had approved the measure earlier.
It would have given Democrats 4 more seats in the US House. The court ruled 4 to 3 against it.
Judges found Democrats broke rules when putting it on the ballot. Early voting had already started when lawmakers first passed it.
The ruling helps Republicans keep their narrow House majority. Trump called it a "huge win" for Republicans.
A Democratic lawmaker said the legislature will respect the ruling. Democrats had backed the measure to counter Republican gains in other states. Republicans may gain even more seats after a recent US Supreme Court ruling weakened the Voting Rights Act.
Klear Note — Redistricting redraws voting districts every 10 years after the census. It changes how many House seats each party might win. Courts sometimes block redistricting votes if rules weren't followed properly.
Key Terms 4
- redistricting Redrawing voting district borders to change election outcomes
- referendum A public vote on a specific law or proposal
- Voting Rights Act US law protecting citizens' right to vote without discrimination
- House majority The party with the most seats in the US House of Representatives