State becomes second to attempt to redistrict to benefit Democrats in response to Republicans’ efforts to gain seats
Virginia has entered the national mid-cycle redistricting battle, with Democratic state lawmakers intent on redrawing the state’s congressional maps to deliver two or three additional Democrats to Washington.
Virginia currently has a 6-5 split in its delegation, favoring Democrats by one member. Don Scott, the Democratic Virginia house speaker, sent a letter on Thursday to members alerting them to a reconvening of a special session to consider legislation. The letter does not explicitly state that redistricting is on the agenda, but national organizations said they have been informed that this is the case.