High Court Decision
The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday denied Virginia Democrats' emergency request to reinstate a voter-approved congressional map. The decision leaves in place the current map, which splits the state's congressional seats six Democrats and five Republicans, for the upcoming midterm elections. The justices declined to block the Virginia Supreme Court's ruling that Democrats did not follow the proper procedures.
Referendum Invalidated
The voter-approved redistricting plan was intended to favor Democrats in 10 of the state's 11 districts. The Virginia Supreme Court, in a 4-to-3 decision on May 8, declared the referendum null and void because lawmakers failed to follow proper procedures to get the issue on the ballot, violating the state constitution. This ruling sparked panic among Virginia's congressional Democrats and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
Arguments for Intervention
Virginia Democrats, including Attorney General Jay Jones, argued that the state Supreme Court was "deeply mistaken" on issues of federal law. They asserted that the decision "overrode the will of the people" by ordering Virginia to "conduct its election with the congressional districts that the people rejected." Jones urged the justices to act quickly because "the window for orderly administration of Virginia's congressional elections is closing rapidly."
Republican Response
Republican legislators countered that it would be improper for the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene in a state law controversy. They argued that the Democrats had "no case on the merits." Republicans said that the case was a state issue, which the Supreme Court doesn't usually intervene in.
National Redistricting Battle
The Virginia case is part of a broader national redistricting fight. Democrats hoped the new map could lead to them being able to flip up to four seats in Congress. The Supreme Court has sided with Republicans in Alabama and Louisiana, who hope to redo their congressional maps to produce more GOP-leaning seats.
Florida Court Fight
In Florida, a Tallahassee judge heard arguments Friday on whether to put a temporary hold on new congressional lines drawn by Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration. Opposing attorneys argued that Jason Pereda, the DeSantis administration’s map-drawer, used political data to create four additional GOP-leaning seats, violating the state constitution. Christina Ford, an attorney representing Equal Ground, said that the districts were drawn with partisan data and without the need to comply with the Fair Districts amendments.
Mifepristone Access Preserved
In a separate decision Thursday, the Supreme Court preserved broad access to the abortion pill mifepristone without an in-person doctor visit. Patients can continue to obtain a prescription for the medication via telehealth and pick it up at a pharmacy or have it delivered by mail. Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito dissented from the decision.
Next Steps
Virginia's current map, which yields a congressional split with six Democrats and five Republicans, will stay in place for the midterm elections. It is unclear whether Democrats will try again to redraw the maps before 2028.
