Gerrymandering

Virginia Court Strikes Down Voter-Approved Redistricting Map

Does this protect voters from an unconstitutional gerrymander or disenfranchise them to benefit Republicans?

Published 4 days ago

Virginia Court Strikes Down Voter-Approved Redistricting Map

story

Above: The Virginia Supreme Court in Richmond, Va. on Jan. 3, 2020. Image credit: Steve Earley/The Virginian-Pilot/Getty Images

The Spin

Republican narrative

Virginia Democrats blew over $80 million trying to ram through an unconstitutional mid-decade gerrymander, and the state Supreme Court rightfully shut it down. The amendment was passed after more than 1.3 million Virginians had already cast early ballots, denying voters a fair chance to understand what they were approving. The 2021 court-approved maps stand, and this brazen power grab failed on its own merits.

Greg Price on X Townhall

Democratic narrative

Four Republican judges just overruled millions of Virginia voters who approved the map at the ballot box, handing the GOP a structural advantage heading into the midterms. Meanwhile, Republican-controlled states have freely redrawn maps at Donald Trump's request. Striking down a voter-ratified amendment on procedural technicalities while partisan gerrymanders flourish elsewhere is a blatant double standard.

Jay Jones on Virginia Attorney General's Office Democracy Docket