Virginia Supreme Court Tosses Voter-Approved Congressional Redistricting Referendum

WASHINGTON — The Virginia Supreme Court on Friday tossed out a congressional redistricting referendum passed by Virginia voters last month, dealing a setback to Democrats seeking a more favorable map to boost their U.S. House seats.

The decision overturns voters' approval of a new congressional map that would have given Democrats an advantage in 10 House districts, with just one safe Republican seat. Virginia's U.S. House delegation currently splits evenly, six Democrats and five Republicans, though both senators are Democrats.

"We hold that the legislative process employed to advance this proposal violated Article XII, Section 1 of the Constitution of Virginia," the opinion states. "This constitutional violation incurably taints the resulting referendum vote and nullifies its legal efficacy."

Virginia Senate Republican Leader Ryan T. McDougle praised the court's decision in Scott v. McDougle.

"The Supreme Court ruling today affirms what we all know: you cannot violate the Constitution to change the Constitution," McDougle said. "The justices of the Supreme Court of Virginia after careful and thorough review of this matter affirmed that even the General Assembly must follow the law."

Democratic Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates Don Scott said, "We respect the decision of the Supreme Court of Virginia. I'm proud that Virginians came out in historic numbers, made their voices heard, and sent a message not just here at home, but across the country, to Donald Trump and his administration."

President Trump called the decision a "huge win for the Republican Party, and America, in Virginia."