Supreme Court of Virginia Adopts New Maps
WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Tuesday, the Supreme Court of Virginia approved new maps for both Virginia’s congressional districts and the Virginia General Assembly. The state Supreme Court took over responsibility for redistricting when the state’s new commission failed to approve any proposals. The court appointed two special masters to prepare drafts for the justices to consider.
The special masters released their first draft proposals on Dec. 8 and revised the maps in response to public feedback. Unlike the first draft, the approved congressional map reunites Albemarle County in the 5th Congressional District and minimizes changes to the 10th Congressional District held by Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D). Rep. Abigail Spanberger’s (D) 7th Congressional District is still significantly overhauled, becoming anchored in northern Virginia, and Rep. Elaine Luria’s (D) 2nd Congressional District remains highly competitive.
The new maps for the Virginia Senate and House of Delegates, meanwhile, place many incumbents in the same district as the special masters did not consider incumbency when drawing maps.