The Virginia Supreme Court struck down the state's new congressional map in a 4-3 ruling, delivering a major victory for Republicans less than three weeks after voters approved the redistricting plan. The court found the process used to enact the map violated the State Constitution, making it a state matter rather than a question of federal law.

The justices determined that timing was the critical flaw: the General Assembly voted on the constitutional amendment authorizing Democrats to redraw the map just before last fall's legislative elections, after early voting had already begun. That sequence violated the complex constitutional process for voting on amendments. With the new map invalidated, Virginia reverts to its previous congressional boundaries.

Republicans stand to gain roughly half a dozen safe seats from the redistricting outcome. However, the party still faces an uphill battle in its effort to maintain control of both chambers of Congress in this fall's midterm elections.