On May 8, the Virginia Supreme Court overturned the new Congressional map, declaring that the proposed amendment to the Virginia Constitution violated constitutional requirements.
The case was brought to the Virginia Supreme Court in March. The Court said that the planned special vote could go ahead but did not give full approval on the amendment. On Apr. 21, 51.7% of voters agreed to use the new map for the upcoming midterms according to NPR.
This decision was appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, and the justices decided not to overturn the Virginia Supreme Court’s decision.
“I don’t think they should have blocked the Democrats from doing this because it’s just the same thing the Republicans have done,” junior Nathan Walker stated.
Nine other states have also redistricted in preparation for the upcoming midterms. Florida, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee and Texas have all redistricted in the Republicans favor. Republicans have a possibility of gaining 17 seats because of the redistricting. In California and Utah, redistricting has been done in the Democrats favor with a possibility of gaining 4-6 seats according to Stateline.
“I think we should hold more Democratic seats…[Republicans] just do whatever to get what they want,” freshman Gabby Pizzirusso commented.
Other states are in the process of or have discussed redistricting as well, including Louisiana, Georgia and South Carolina.
The current map will stay, leaving Virginia’s split 605 in the Democrats’ favor. Falls Church will remain in the 8th District with parts of Fairfax and Arlington County.
