RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A judge ruled Monday that a state redistricting plan drafted last year by the Republican-led General Assembly was unconstitutional and ordered new elections be held this year for the House of Delegates.
Judge Richard C. Pattisall said no new special elections should be conducted in the state until the General Assembly and governor approve a new redistricting plan for both the House and Senate.
Pattisall said in the ruling that new elections should be held "for each new electoral district enacted for the House of Delegates." It was unclear whether the ruling would require new elections in every House district or just those created by the new plan.
The ruling focused on what Pattisall called racial gerrymandering in newly created districts in southeastern Virginia and around Richmond.