Please agree to our privacy policy to enable news listening. (Central News Agency, Washington, 15th) The U.S. Supreme Court today rejected a last-ditch effort by Virginia Democrats to revive a voter-approved redistricting plan that would have given them an advantage in November’s midterm elections. The appeal seeks to overturn a Virginia Supreme Court ruling last week that blocked the use of new voting maps on the grounds that Democratic lawmakers failed to follow constitutional procedures for a referendum, AFP reported. The Supreme Court did not provide specific reasons for rejecting the emergency appeal, saying in a written order: “The petition for a stay submitted to the Chief Justice and transmitted by him to this Court is denied.” The redistricting proposal, approved in a state referendum last month, would have made an exception to allow Democrats to redraw Virginia’s congressional districts midway through the regular 10-year cycle, potentially extending their 6-5 advantage in the House delegation to 10-1. The ruling preserves the current map and marks another flashpoint in the escalating national redistricting battle between Democrats and Republicans as both parties battle for a majority in the House of Representatives. U.S. President Donald Trump last year helped spark the latest wave of redistricting battles by urging Republican-led states such as Texas to redraw congressional maps that favor Republicans. Democrats responded with countermeasures in states such as California and Virginia. (Compiled by: Li Peishan) 1150516 Support the Central News Agency’s choice to stand with the facts. Every donation you make is a small amount of support to protect press freedom. Download the Central News Agency’s “First-hand News” APP to get the latest news in real time. The text, pictures and audio and video of this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.
Source link
