Democrats in Virginia just took a big step in their plan to retaliate against mid-decade Republican gerrymanders enacted last year on President Donald Trump’s orders.
According to Politico, “The Democrat-dominated Virginia Senate passed a constitutional amendment along party lines that allows state lawmakers to begin redrawing congressional maps … Earlier this week, the House of Delegates approved the measure by 62-33.”
It’s one of the party’s first priorities after regaining full control of Virginia’s state government, following their blowout election wins last year. Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger, a Democrat, is set to be sworn into office Saturday, completing their trifecta.
Leading the charge for redistricting is Virginia Senate President Pro Tempore L. Louise Lucas, an outspoken liberal firebrand known for engaging on social media with young election analysis hobbyists. She has repeatedly vowed to pass a map that has 10 Democratic-majority districts and just one GOP district, which would represent a four-seat gain for Democrats. However, a less aggressive gerrymander that leaves two GOP seats is also possible.
“Virginia is the last opportunity for national Democrats in the pre-midterm redistricting wars,” said the report. “The party is seeking to keep pace with Republican-led states including Texas, Missouri, and North Carolina, which have all gerrymandered at the urging of President Donald Trump, to give Republicans an advantage this fall and help maintain GOP control of the House. California Democrats previously pushed through a major redistricting effort. Democrats argue lawmakers in Virginia must alter maps, arguing it helps the party keep pace with GOP-led states that have already enacted mid-decade changes to their congressional lines.”
Virginia voters enacted a nonpartisan redistricting commission in 2020. As a result, voters would need to approve the Democratic plan for mid-decade redistricting in a special election this spring.
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