Virginia special election: How many seats could Democrats gain with redistricting proposal?

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) – Polls are open in Virginia for voters to weigh in on a constitutional amendment to Virginia’s redistricting process.

Virginia on Tuesday are deciding whether to ratify an unusual mid-decade redrawing of U.S. House districts that could boost Democrats’ chances of flipping control of the closely divided chamber, as the state becomes the latest front in a national redistricting battle.

The proposed amendment backed by Democratic officials would bypass the state’s bipartisan redistricting commission to allow use of new congressional districts approved by state lawmakers in this year’s midterm elections.

The referendum, which needs a simple majority to pass, tests Democrats’ ability to push back against President Donald Trump.

Last year, Trump pushed legislators in Republican states across the country to undergo what is known as mid-decade redistricting, in the hopes of helping Republicans to keep control of U.S. House in the midterms. Traditionally, congressional maps are only redrawn at the beginning of the decade.

Where have states redrawn their maps?

In North Carolina, the Republican-controlled legislature redrew their maps to make a district less favorable to Democratic Rep. Don Davis. Republican-led legislatures or commissions in Texas, Missouri and Ohio have also adopted new districts designed to boost Republicans’ chances next year. So far, Republicans believe they can win up to nine more House seats in newly redrawn districts.

But Democratic-leaning California responded. Voters there approved new districts drawn to improve Democrats’ chances of winning five more seats. And........

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