Virginia Democrats make Supreme Court appeal after redistricting loss

Virginia Democrats are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene in a redistricting dispute after the Virginia Supreme Court struck down a Democrat-backed congressional map referendum. The Virginia Supreme Court ruled 4-3 that Democrats did not follow state constitutional procedures for placing the amendment before voters, invalidating a referendum that would have shifted the state's congressional split significantly in their favor. This ruling, seen as a major political victory by Republicans, could have major implications for control of the U.S. House. Democrats are seeking to delay the Virginia Supreme Court's mandate while they pursue an appeal to the nation's highest court. However, their appeal faces a difficult road as the dispute primarily involves interpretation of the Virginia Constitution, an area where the U.S. Supreme Court typically lacks jurisdiction. Virginia's Attorney General, a Democrat, criticized the ruling as politically motivated, while Republicans, including former President Trump, celebrated it as a win. The case is a significant part of the broader national redistricting battle between the two parties.