The Supreme Court on Friday rejected Virginia Democrats' emergency request to use a newly approved congressional map that would have given their party an advantage in the midterms. The decision allows a lower court ruling to stand, effectively blocking a map that created four Democratic-leaning districts in the state.

The controversy stems from a constitutional amendment Democrats pushed through Virginia's General Assembly last year, which they approved through a statewide referendum in April. Republicans challenged the process, arguing Democrats violated state constitution by beginning redistricting after early voting had commenced. The Virginia Supreme Court sided with Republicans in a 4-3 decision.

The ruling represents a setback for Democrats in the nationwide redistricting battle that intensified ahead of the midterms. With the blocked map, Virginia will use existing district lines for the upcoming elections, potentially affecting control of the House. Democrats had framed the redistricting amendment as necessary to counter Republican efforts in other states like Texas.