Virginia judge lets Democrats' redistricting plan move forward
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The fight over who gets to draw Virginia's political lines spilled from the state Capitol into the courtroom this week, and Democrats just claimed the first win.
Why it matters: The redistricting fight could determine which party has an advantage in future elections — and potentially reshape representation in and around Richmond.
Catch up quick: Normally, redistricting happens once a decade, after the census.
- But state Dems are pushing to get it done now — mid-decade — to counter Republican-led states that have already redrawn their congressional maps to add GOP seats at President Trump's behest.
- So they reconvened this week to start a constitutional amendment process that would let them do that before next year's elections.
Yes, but: Senate and House Republicans filed a lawsuit on Wednesday that accused Democrats of sidestepping the 2020 voter-approved redistricting commission designed to keep politics out of mapmaking.
- Republicans asked a Southwest Virginia judge to stop the special session, calling the redistricting push "unconstitutional."
- The judge said no, allowing Democrats' plan to move forward — for now.
Between the lines: Dems are on a tight timeline. Per Virginia law, the measure has to move through two General Assembly sessions: One before the House has an election (which is Tuesday) and one after.
- If that happens, Virginians can then vote on amending the constitution to allow mid-decade redistricting next year.
Friction point: Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares issued an advisory opinion this week, saying it's too late for Dems.
- Miyares argues that an election starts when early voting begins.
- Meanwhile, Democrats aren't holding back, with some, like Sen. Louise Lucas, trolling Republicans with social media memes.
What we're watching: Democrats haven't released plans showing how they'd want to slice and dice the state.
- But when court-appointed experts drew the 2021 maps, they noted that the "high concentration of Democrats" in Richmond means "some 'wasting' of Democratic votes."
- That could make Richmond an ideal target to break up and push toward more Republican-leaning counties.