Democrats put together to spend thousands and thousands in Virginia redistricting effort, high lawmaker says | EUROtoday

The Democratic Party is getting ready to take a position tens of thousands and thousands right into a redistricting initiative in Virginia, aiming to safe an extra 4 seats within the U.S. House of Representatives.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries confirmed the get together’s dedication, stating on CNN’s State of the Union program that Democrats will do “whatever it takes” to make sure a Virginia poll initiative succeeds in an April voter referendum.

This aggressive push for brand spanking new voting maps in Virginia and Maryland is a part of an more and more partisan strategy to redistricting. It seeks to bolster Democratic illustration in Congress and offset related efforts by Republicans, who’ve already enacted new district traces in states reminiscent of Texas, Missouri, Ohio, and North Carolina.

These strategic maneuvers come forward of November’s midterm elections, with Republicans at present holding a slim majority within the House.

Voters in California accredited a Democratic-backed redistricting measure. Some Democrats additionally hope to redraw the congressional map in Maryland to get rid of its sole Republican-held seat, however the state Senate president, Democrat Bill Ferguson, mentioned there may be not sufficient help in his chamber and that he doesn’t plan to carry a vote on the invoice.

Jeffries on Sunday mentioned he had not just lately spoken to Ferguson, however would have a dialog with him “at some point” if he continues to oppose the redistricting proposal.

The effort to redraw districts comes months forward of the November midterm elections, the place Democrats will attempt to wrest management of the U.S. Congress from Republicans. In response to a query about what Democrats would spend on the Virginia effort, Jeffries advised CNN the get together will do “whatever it takes” to win that April referendum.

The U.S. Supreme Court in 2019 stripped federal courts of their energy to police partisan voting maps, opening the door to state-by-state battles to craft congressional districts. Last 12 months, Republican President Donald Trump demanded that his get together redraw the maps to their profit, sparking a battle with Democrats who in flip adopted a extra aggressive strategy to the difficulty.

The Virginia Supreme Court mentioned on Friday it will enable a Democratic-backed redistricting effort to move to a voter referendum in April.

“We’re striking back,” Jeffries advised CNN. “We’re going to make sure that there’s a fair national map.”

U.S. Senator Thom Tillis, a Republican from North Carolina, mentioned on CBS News’ “Face the Nation” that he nervous about his get together’s capacity to take care of management within the House, partly due to redistricting.