The Virginia Supreme Court has struck down a congressional map approved by voters in a recent referendum, ruling it unconstitutional. Democratic leaders have criticized the decision as overturning the will of the people.
The ruling came on May 8 in an opinion by Justice D. Arthur Kelsey. The court found that Virginia Democrats had asked for any review to be delayed until after the vote, citing precedent that prevented intervention while the measure was still under consideration by voters. Only about 1.6 million of the 3 million participants supported the map in the referendum.