Virginians approve redrawing of U.S. House map

Virginians approved an unusual, mid-decade redrawing of U.S. House districts that could boost Democrats’ chances of flipping control of the closely divided chamber in the latest front in a national redistricting battle, NBC News projects.

A proposed constitutional 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 tested Democrats’ ability to push back against President Donald Trump, who started the gerrymandering competition between states after successfully urging Texas Republicans to redraw congressional districts in their favor last year.

It also tested voters’ willingness to accept districts gerrymandered for political advantage — coming just six years after Virginia voters approved an amendment meant to diminish such partisan gamesmanship by shifting redistricting away from the legislature.

The state Supreme Court is considering whether the redistricting plan is illegal in a case that could make the referendum results meaningless.