Overview
- Virginia Democrats filed an emergency petition Monday asking the U.S. Supreme Court to reinstate a voter‑approved congressional map that the Virginia Supreme Court struck down Friday.
- The petition argues federal law treats Election Day as a single day for counting votes, challenging the state court’s finding that early voting underway made the referendum procedurally invalid.
- In a separate action Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court cleared Alabama to move off a court‑drawn map with two majority‑Black districts, opening the door to a map with one such district and possible primary schedule changes.
- State moves diverged Tuesday, with Missouri’s high court upholding a GOP‑drawn map that stretches Kansas City’s Democratic district, while South Carolina senators voted down a bid to reopen their U.S. House map this year.
- Analysts say the fast‑moving map changes could net Republicans roughly 5 to 14 U.S. House seats, though tight election‑system deadlines and aging voter‑file technology may limit which new lines can be used in 2026.