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WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Friday turned away a long-shot effort by Virginia Democrats to revive a new, voter-approved congressional map they wanted to use in this year’s midterm elections.
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The brief decision with no dissents leaves in place a ruling by the Virginia Supreme Court that found legal flaws in the process leading up to the referendum.
The legal fight had fizzled in recent days, with Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger saying Wednesday that the deadline to use a new map in Virginia had expired anyway.
The new map, intended to maximize Democratic-leaning congressional districts, was proposed as part of nationwide redistricting wars that were sparked when President Donald Trump called upon Texas to draw a map more favorable to Republicans.
Although the Supreme Court was unlikely to get involved, Friday’s decision confirms a setback for Democrats not just in Virginia but also nationwide.
If the Virginia map had been used, Democrats could have gained up to four additional districts in Virginia, which has 11 districts in total.
Under the current map, there are six Democrats and five Republicans.
The legal dispute focused on a technical legal question under Virginia law. The U.S. Supreme Court does not have the authority to hear cases about state law, but Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones had argued in court papers that the state court decision implicated federal law too.
Lawrence Hurley is a senior Supreme Court reporter for NBC News.
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