Virginia Dems join redistricting counteroffensive
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Virginia Democrats are planning to redraw the state's congressional maps ahead of next year's midterm elections, multiple outlets report.
Why it matters: The move would make it the second state, following California, in which Democrats are attempting to punch back at the White House's effort to add Republican House seats through redistricting.
The big picture: Over the summer, President Trump started pressuring Republicans to redraw congressional maps ahead of the midterms, Axios' Alex Isenstadt reports. The push aims to pick off more than a half-dozen Democratic-held seats.
- Republican-led states, like Texas, Missouri and North Carolina, have already moved ahead with redistricting efforts, sparking a chain reaction of Democrats looking to retaliate.
By the numbers: Six of Virginia's 11 congressional seats are currently held by Democrats.
- With redistricting, they could add two or three more, depending on how the maps are drawn, the New York Times notes.
- Virginia's 1st District — Rep. Rob Wittman's seat, which includes part of metro Richmond — is likely one of the districts that would be redrawn in the process, per Politico.
How it works: A mid-decade redistricting effort would require amending the state's constitution.
- That requires two majority votes by the state legislature, one this year and one early next.
- Plus a statewide referendum so voters can weigh in, which would also need to happen next year.
Context: Democrats currently hold a slim majority in the General Assembly, but all 100 House of Delegates seats are on the ballot for Virginia voters next month.
What's next: State Dems called a special session for Monday at 4pm, which is likely the first step in the constitutional amendment process.