Federal court tosses redistricting challenge

A federal judge Friday dismissed a Democratic-supported lawsuit filed on behalf of six voters who asked the court to update Virginia's congressional districts because the legislature failed to last year.

However, parallel litigation remains alive in state court where a motion hearing is set for Monday in Richmond.

Defending Virginia against those challenges is Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, who called the court's dismissal appropriate because redistricting is the province of the Virginia General Assembly that's now adopted a redistricting plan.

That Republican-backed map essentially maintains the status quo in Virginia's delegation of 8 Republicans and 3 Democrats, whose offices are on the ballot this fall.

Cuccinelli has sought U.S. Justice Department review of it for compliance with the federal Voting Rights Act that covers changes to state election policies and procedures.

Lawmakers didn't reapportion Virginia's congressional districts last year to reflect population changes as the state constitution requires.

So litigants asked the courts to intervene, saying the legislature missed its redistricting opportunity.

-- Julian Walker

COMMENTS ADVISORY: Users are solely responsible for opinions they post here; comments do not reflect the views of The Virginian-Pilot or its websites. Users must follow agreed-upon rules: Be civil, be clean, be on topic; don't attack private individuals, other users or classes of people. Read the full rules here.
- Comments are automatically checked for inappropriate language, but readers might find some comments offensive or inaccurate. If you believe a comment violates our rules, click the report violation link below it.