Story perspectives

Virginia Supreme Court Keeps 2026 Map, Democrats Cry Partisan Attack

5/10/2026

Left

Democrats Decry

Democratic leaders decried the Virginia Supreme Court ruling as a partisan attack on voter-approved redistricting.
The Virginia Supreme Court ordered the state to use the existing congressional map for the 2026 elections.
U.S. Senator Tim Kaine stated the decision disregards the will of over three million Virginians.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries linked the ruling to weakened Voting Rights Act protections, calling it a due-process violation.
Governor Abigail Spanberger pledged to ensure voters receive information for the November midterm elections.

Right

Virginia Court Blocks

Virginia Supreme Court voided a Democrat-led redistricting plan designed to create one Republican congressional district.
The court ordered Virginia to use the existing congressional map for the 2026 elections.
The plan, which narrowly passed, would have redistributed Northern Virginia’s left-leaning voters.
President Donald Trump’s pressure on Republican states to gerrymander maps was cited as the catalyst for the Virginia effort.

History

Historical Context

The Supreme Court’s 5-4 June 27, 2019 decision in Rucho v. Common Cause held that federal judges cannot adjudicate partisan gerrymandering, pushing challenges to state courts. Following that precedent, the Virginia Supreme Court struck down a Democrat-led congressional map and ordered new 2026 districts, prompting legislators such as Tim Kaine and Abigail Spanberger to seek reform.

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Democrats Decry

Democratic leaders decried the Virginia Supreme Court ruling as a partisan attack on voter-approved redistricting.
The Virginia Supreme Court ordered the state to use the existing congressional map for the 2026 elections.
U.S. Senator Tim Kaine stated the decision disregards the will of over three million Virginians.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries linked the ruling to weakened Voting Rights Act protections, calling it a due-process violation.
Governor Abigail Spanberger pledged to ensure voters receive information for the November midterm elections.

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