Virginia Supreme Court allows high-stakes redistricting vote
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The Virginia Supreme Court is allowing a redistricting referendum to move forward, with early voting starting March 6.
Why it matters: It's still weighing the case that tried blocking state Democrats from redrawing congressional maps mid-decade — meaning the court could void the referendum after Virginians have cast their ballots.
The intrigue: Nixing the referendum after it's happened, while unlikely, would mean the state spent $5.2 million on an overturned election.
Follow the money: A nonprofit tied to House Democrats' top super PAC also donated $5 million to a pro-redistricting Virginia group, per campaign finance reports.
The big picture: The high court's Friday decision marks a major, but temporary, win for Virginia Democrats, who are pushing a congressional map that favors their party in all but one of the state's 11 House districts.
- State Republicans have repeatedly slammed that plan, calling it extreme, illegal and hyperpartisan.
- Meanwhile Democrats say the move counters Republican-led states that redrew districts to add GOP seats in a closely divided House.
Between the lines: While early voting starts next month, election day is on April 21.
- And Virginians aren't specifically voting on the proposed map, but on whether to let lawmakers do a mid-decade redraw.
What's next: The state Supreme Court has asked all parties to file their opening briefs for the case by March 23, over two weeks after early voting begins.
Go deeper: New Virginia map splits Richmond, weakens GOP districts
This story has been updated with additional details throughout