Virginia’s Democratic governor responded to an invalidated election result and the U.S. Supreme Court’s denial of an emergency stay on Friday by saying she’s committed to the state “choosing the representation we deserve.”
Democratic majorities in the Legislature were in concert with Gov. Abigail Spanberger to have the congressional map redrawn, even with candidates confirming plans to run in districts that did not exist before voters on April 21 were to decide a constitutional amendment allowing a redrawing of the map in the middle of the decade. And while litigation had yet to confirm the election, worth $70 million in spending to Democrats, was legitimate.
The fallout of that infamous week in Virginia politics was the election would not be allowed amid multiple lawsuits from sides for and against it, and the vote of 51.5%-48.6% from more than 3 million cast was wiped out.
To Spanberger’s point of what is deserved, the U.S. House of Representatives has six Virginia Democrats and five Virginia Republicans – a split closer to that April 21 vote and to the 2024 presidential vote than to the forecasted outcome of the new map she pushed. The 2024 vote of 51.85-46.1% favored the Democratic ticket of Kamala Harris and Tim Walz over Donald Trump and J.D. Vance.
Had the congressional map been adopted, the forecast was for Virginia to send 10 Democrats and one Republican to the House in November’s midterm.
Spanberger wrote on social media, “The Supreme Court of the United States has now joined the Supreme Court of Virginia in choosing to nullify an election and the votes of more than 3 million Virginians. These Virginians made their voices heard – casting their ballots in good faith to push back against a president who said he’s ‘entitled’ to more seats in Congress before voters go to the polls.
“As governor, I will make sure voters know when and how to cast their votes this year. Because our votes are how we choose the representation we deserve.”
The ballot question read, “Question: Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended to allow the General Assembly to temporarily adopt new congressional districts to restore fairness in the upcoming elections, while ensuring Virginia’s standard redistricting process resumes for all future redistricting after the 2030 census?”
In saying “restore fairness,” the Republican National Committee said it’s a “misleading statement – if not an obvious falsehood.” The two votes – April 21 and in November 2024 – illustrate the RNC point.
Spanberger, even as the stay was requested of the Supreme Court, said Wednesday the November elections would be through the map created in 2021. The Virginia Department of Elections had said in April any chances would need to be made by May 12 – Tuesday of this past week – in order to be ready for the August primaries.
