The GOP finally caught a break in the gerrymandering battle between Republicans and Democrats.
Virginia Democrats joined the fight and presented new maps for the upcoming election.
The maps were just blocked, however, possibly saving the GOP a seat or two in the upcoming election cycle.
In October 2025, gerrymandering was the hot topic, and Virginia Democrats wanted in on the fun.
By this time, Trump had already given the order to Republican governors to gerrymander their maps as much as possible for the 2026 cycle, and Democrats were looking to counter the move.
Scott Surovell, the majority leader of the Virginia Senate, stated, “We are coming back to address actions by the Trump administration.”
Democrats hold six of 11 seats in Virginia, but the new maps would possibly extend that majority to as many as nine seats.
Virginia took the same approach as California, making this a ballot measure, giving it more legitimacy if it were challenged.
Democratic Del. Cia Price stated, “Because this is a Virginian-led process and we’re asking for their permission, voters will be able to see the maps prior to their vote.”
I cannot stress enough how rare any of this is in terms of maps being redrawn mid-decade.
And I have never defended Trump asking Texas to redraw its maps, but I just don’t see how the media and Democrats can justify what they are characterizing as rigging an election by, well, rigging the election.
Tazewell County Circuit Court Judge Jack S. Hurley Jr. just ruled that lawmakers overstepped their authority, striking down the new maps.
The judge called out the lawmakers for using a session tagged for budget matters to gerrymander maps, stating, "Certainly, both houses of the Commonwealth’s legislature are required to follow their own rules and resolutions.”
He further ruled, "The Court FINDS that adding… [a] joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Virginia related to the reapportionment or redistricting violated… the General Assembly’s own call to the Governor for the 2024 Special Session, and the Court ORDERS that any such action is void, ab initio.”
What I would like to see is all maps returned to their previous state, and void any changed maps. If we support gerrymandering maps, how can we fight back against the maps that were already gerrymandered by Democrats, such as Illinois, which has some of the worst district lines in the nation? For once, I would love to see both sides play by the rules instead of accusing one side of breaking the rules, then turn around and so the very same thing.
