May 16, 2026, 8:35 a.mMay 16, 2026, 8:35 a.m
The Supreme Court of the United States in Washington DC Image: keystone
In the fight for a better starting position in the US midterm elections, the Democrats in the state of Virginia suffered a defeat before the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court rejected an urgent application from Democratic politicians from the east coast state whose aim was to be allowed to use a map with newly tailored electoral districts in the so-called midterms in November.
By redrawing the electoral districts, the Democrats would have had the chance to take four seats in the House of Representatives from President Donald Trump’s Republicans in the midterm elections. Voters in Virginia voted for such a reorganization in their state in April. However, less than 24 hours later, a court there declared the vote invalid.
Verdict is success for the Republicans
The judge justified his decision in the first instance by saying that the question on the ballot paper was worded “obviously misleading”. In addition, the proposal was presented to voters earlier than required by the Virginia Constitution. All votes cast are therefore inadmissible and Virginia’s electoral districts cannot be redrawn. Attempts by the Democrats to have their plan approved by higher courts failed.
The decision by the top judges on Friday is a success for the Republicans: They want to defend their razor-thin majority in the US Congress in the midterm elections. In addition to Virginia, attempts are also underway in many other states to redraw electoral districts in favor of one of the two parties. (sda/dpa)