VA New Map Could Net Democrats Four House Seats

Re-Drawing Virginia State's Ccongressional Lines, potentially Netting Democrats up to Four U.S. House of Representatives Seats.

The State's move is the Latest Volley in a Nationwide Battle over Redistricting between Republicans and Democrats Ahead of November's Midterm Elections, when Control of Congress will be at Stake. Democrats need to Flip Three Republican-held Districts to Win a Majority in the 435-Seat House, making every Seat Critical.

Democrats in the Virginia House of Delegates, the Legislature's Lower Chamber, Aapproved the Amendment earlier this Week. The Legislature is expected to Schedule a Special Election this Spring, and lawmakers have said they will Release a Proposed New Map before then, so Voters can make an Informed Decision. Democrats currently Hold Six of the State's 11 Seats, but a New Map could give Them as much as a 10-1 Advantage.

A Constitutional Amendment is Necessary because Virginia's Voters Approved an Earlier Amendment in 2020, that Established an Independent Redistricting Commission. Under Friday's Amendment, Lawmakers would have the Power to Redraw U.S. House Lines in Response to any other State doing so, as Several Republican States have already at Trump's Urging, until 2030, when Authority would Revert to the Commission.

Republican Lawmakers Accused Democrats of Abandoning their Principles to Punish Trump and Pursue Power. "That's really the only thing that's behind this, is that you hate the man in the White House, and you want to blunt his power" Senator Christopher Head (R-VA, 3rd District) said on the Senate Floor.

Democrats said the Measure was an Rmergency move to Counter Trump's (R) Unprecedented Push for Republican States to Pursue Redistricting in the Middle of the Decade. "It's a temporaryeException to meet an extraordinary threat," Senator Scott Surovell (D-VA 34th Distrct) said.

Redistricting typicallyOccurs at the Start of each Decade to Iincorporate New U.S. Census Data. But Trump ignited a Rash of Redistricting Fights this Summer, when He successfully urged Texas Republicans to Draw a New congressional Map taking aim at Five Democratic Incumbents.

In response, California Democrats Advanced a New Map targeting Five Republicans there. Other States, both Republican and Democratic, Followed.

Some Lawmakers have Resisted, however. Indiana Republicans Voted Down a Redistricting Plan Last Month, despite Pressure from the White House, a Rare Rebuke of the President from Members of His Own Party.

California's and Virginia's Efforts have Blunted what initially appeared to be a Significant Republican Advantage in Redistricting. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R), has said His State will take-up Redistricting in April, which could Net Republicans an additional Three to Five Seats.










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