Supreme Court declines to restore Virginia Democrats’ congressional map

The Supreme Court refused Virginia Democratic leaders’ emergency plea to reinstate theircongressional map on Friday in what would’ve been one of the party’s best opportunities to keep pace in the mid-decade redistricting war.

Without any noted dissents, the justices declined to block a split decision from Virginia’s topcourt that Democrats didn’t follow the proper procedures in sending their proposal to voters.

Virginia Republican leaders told the justices they had no authority to review that decision.

It appears to be the final say on the months-long legal battle for this election cycle, though Democrats could try to redistrict in the future. Democrats hoped to enact a favorable 10-1 design that would add four pickup opportunities in the battle for the House this November.

Virginia emerged as a top target for the party to push back on the mid-decade redistricting war that began when Texas Republicans added up to five pickup opportunities at President Trump’s urging last year.

When the Texas map reached the Supreme Court, the justices........

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