Virginia voters approved a new congressional map on Tuesday through a constitutional amendment. This mid-decade redistricting plan could boost Democratic representation in the US House by as many as four seats in the upcoming November midterm elections.
The new map gives Democrats an advantage in 10 of the state's 11 House districts, leaving just one safe Republican seat. While Republicans are challenging the map, Democrats view the result as a significant victory.
The move comes as a direct response to President Donald Trump's push for mid-decade redistricting to benefit the GOP, marking a setback for the president. It is part of a wider national conflict between Democrats and Republicans over gerrymandering.
Experts suggest that this unprecedented flurry of tit-for-tat redistricting risks a surge in gerrymandering. Following the vote in Virginia, Republicans are turning to courts and the state of Florida to attempt to claw back an edge.