Supreme Court rejects Virginia congressional map drawn by Democrats

The Supreme Court has rejected Virginia’s bid to restore a congressional map that would have given Democrats a chance to pick up four seats in the closely divided House of Representatives. The court’s order Friday leaves in place a 4-3 ruling by the Virginia Supreme Court that struck down a constitutional amendment redrawing congressional districts that voters narrowly passed just last month. It is the latest twist in the nation’s mid-decade redistricting competition that was kicked off last year by President Donald Trump urging Republican-controlled states to redraw their lines. It was supercharged by a recent Supreme Court ruling severely weakening the Voting Rights Act that opened up even more winnable seats for the GOP.