RICHMOND, Va. (Diya TV) — Virginia’s highest court on Friday struck down a congressional map backed by Democrats and approved by voters, handing Republicans a major victory in the growing national fight over redistricting ahead of the midterm elections.
The ruling from the Virginia Supreme Court could reshape the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives. The decision removes four newly drawn Democratic-leaning congressional districts and gives Republicans a stronger advantage as both parties battle over political maps across the country.
The case marks the latest development in a heated national redistricting fight that began after President Donald Trump pushed Texas Republicans to redraw congressional boundaries last year. Democrats responded with new maps in states such as California. Since then, several Republican and Democratic-led states have moved to redraw districts before the next census.
Political analysts say the Virginia decision could cost Democrats several safe House seats at a time when control of Congress remains highly competitive. In a 4-3 ruling, the Virginia Supreme Court said Democratic lawmakers violated the state constitution when they approved the new congressional map.
The court focused on the timing of the constitutional amendment process. According to the majority opinion, lawmakers held the first legislative vote on the amendment just days before Virginia’s legislative elections last fall. The amendment was later passed in a statewide referendum, allowing lawmakers to adopt a new congressional map designed to favor Democrats. The map aimed to give Democrats control of 10 of Virginia’s 11 U.S. House seats. Democrats currently hold six seats.
The court ruled that the process did not follow constitutional requirements and invalidated the map. The decision forces Virginia to return to its previous congressional boundaries unless lawmakers approve a new plan that meets legal standards.
The Virginia ruling comes during an unusually aggressive period of mid-decade redistricting in the United States. Congressional maps usually change once every 10 years after the national census. States redraw district lines to reflect population changes. However, both major political parties have increasingly used redistricting to gain electoral advantages.
Republicans began the latest push after Trump encouraged Texas officials to redraw districts to help the GOP maintain control of the House during difficult political conditions. Democrats answered with their own efforts in blue states, including California. Several Southern states later followed with Republican-backed maps after a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling opened the door for additional redistricting efforts.
Experts say the ruling could shift several House races toward Republicans before the midterm elections begin.
Despite the redistricting victory, Republicans continue to face political risks heading into the election season. The GOP holds only a slim majority in the House of Representatives. Rising concerns about the economy, high gas prices and the ongoing war with Iran have created challenges for Republican candidates in several competitive districts.
Trump’s approval ratings have also weakened in recent months, according to multiple national polls. Democrats hope those issues could still help them regain support among independent voters, even as new district maps create tougher political conditions.
After Virginia voters approved the constitutional amendment in a statewide referendum last month, many Democrats believed the party had secured at least a small advantage in the national map battle. Friday’s ruling changed that calculation.
