Supreme Court Deals Blow to Democrats, Denies Virginia Redistricting Map
By Peter AitkenNewsweek
The Inauguration Of Donald J. Trump As The 47th President. WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 20: (L-R) U.S. Associate Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, Jr., U.S. Associate Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh and U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts attend inauguration ceremonies in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Donald Trump takes office for his second term as the 47th president of the United States. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Photo by: Chip Somodevilla/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images
Chip Somodevilla
Chip Somodevilla/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images
The Supreme Court on Friday rejected VirginiaDemocrats' bid to revive a voter-approved congressional map, leaving in place a state court ruling that invalidated the plan on procedural grounds.
The decision comes amid a broader mid-decade redistricting fight that has intensified after a recent high court ruling weakened the Voting Rights Act and opened the door to new partisan maps.
Virginia's proposed map, which could have helped Democrats gain up to four House seats, was struck down by the state's top court in a 4-3 ruling that found lawmakers violated constitutional requirements when putting the measure before voters.
With the Supreme Court declining to intervene, the state will proceed with 2026 elections under its current congressional districts
This is a breaking news article. Updates to follow.
U.S. Associate Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, Jr., U.S. Associate Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh and U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts attend President Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremonies in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. (AP Images) Chip Somodevilla Chip Somodevilla/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images
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This story was originally published May 15, 2026 at 4:01 PM.
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