Virginia Supreme Court gives go-ahead on congressional map referendum

The Virginia Supreme Court ruled on Friday that the state can proceed with an April 21 referendum that could give us a new congressional map.

The court signaled that it will hold a full hearing in the case brought by Republicans, who are challenging the process that led to the adoption of a resolution setting the referendum, which, with approval of the voters, will give the General Assembly the ability to redraw political boundary lines mid-cycle.

Any ruling on the merits of the case would come after the referendum.

---

ICYMI

• Republican judge says Dems’ redistricting effort is ‘blatant abuse of power’
• Poll: Majority backs Virginia Democrats on congressional redistricting

---

Virginia Democrats had already been moving forward with a new congressional map, which are being redrawn to give Democrats a shot to build on their 6-5 majority in representation in the state’s U.S. House delegation.

The new map would give Democrats the partisan advantage in 10 of the state’s 11 congressional districts, leaving as the only leans-R district the Ninth, currently represented by Republican Morgan Griffith.

The four sitting Republicans who would be on the outs – Rob Wittman in the current First District and Jen Kiggans in the current Second District, which are both located in the eastern half of the state; and John McGuire in the current Fifth District and Ben Cline in the current Sixth District, both of which are located in the western half of the state.

“Today’s Supreme Court ruling allows the voices of Virginia voters to be heard,” said Beth Macy, one of the two top contenders for the Democratic Party nomination in the Sixth District, in a post on Facebook. “Virginians across the commonwealth will have their say in redistricting, and I look forward to running in 6th Congressional District and serving people no matter where the borders are drawn. I appreciate the Supreme Court’s decision in clarifying the issue for voters.”