Virginia approves redistricting giving Democrats edge in midterms9 Minutes agoSareen HabeshianGetty ImagesVirginia is the latest front in a national battle to redraw congressional districts after President Donald Trump and Republicans initiated a national gerrymandering push aiming to help conservatives maintain a congressional majority.Democrats in California last year approved a similar measure to change the state’s voting districts, with the goal of cancelling gains made by Republicans on redrawn maps Texas. Supreme Court allows California to use a new voting map that boosts DemocratsDemocrats currently hold six of the 11 seats in the state, and the updated maps could allow them to hold as many as 10. The redistricting referendum was the most expensive ballot measure ever in Virginia, according to figures provided by the Virginia Public Access Project. The Virginia Public Access Project reports that groups on both sides have raised over $80m in the last month. “I don’t know if I know what gerrymandering means, but it’s not good,” Trump added. States usually redraw voting maps every decade after the US Census releases new population data. California Gov Gavin Newsom responded to Trump’s support for Texas’ changes by launching a campaign to suspend the Golden State’s independently drawn maps last year in order to “fight fire with fire”. California voters approved their new maps during a special referendum held in November, giving Democrats a slight edge in five new district. In the US, gerrymandering is only illegal when it is based on race. The Republican party is trying to hold onto its slim majority in the House during November’s midterm election. The party of the president has historically lost House seats in this vote. VirginiaUS politicsUnited States
