RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia voters approved a referendum on voting maps with a 51% majority Tuesday, however in line with CBS 6 political analyst Dr. Bob Holsworth, the outcomes face a right away authorized problem on the state Supreme Courtroom.
With 99% of the votes counted, the referendum handed by an 87,000-vote margin, receiving 51% “sure” votes and simply over 48% “no” votes.
Virginia votes sure on proposed congressional redistricting
Holsworth famous the turnout was unexpectedly excessive, reaching about 90% of the turnout seen within the November governor’s race.
“What you noticed was a really huge sure vote in Northern Virginia, after which particularly right here within the Richmond space,” Holsworth mentioned.
Holsworth defined the 87,000-vote margin statewide roughly equals the “sure” vote margin in Richmond, Henrico and Chesterfield mixed. In the meantime, the “no” vote was terribly robust in rural, Republican areas.
Regardless of the voter approval, the referendum will not be a finalized deal. Republicans are taking a authorized problem to the state Supreme Courtroom this week, arguing the measure was not placed on the poll legally and objecting to the poll’s wording.
“The Supreme Courtroom goes to listen to this straight away,” Holsworth mentioned.
Holsworth expects an expeditious choice as a result of political events should quickly maintain primaries for the autumn elections.
The courtroom’s choice comes with distinctive context, because the justices beforehand drew the district strains that voters opted to alter. Holsworth famous that whereas justices keep they solely take care of the regulation, the legislature appoints the courtroom’s members.
“A whole lot of Democrats assume that, by and enormous, the courtroom will not be going to go in opposition to the desire of the individuals, however we’ll should see,” Holsworth mentioned.
Waiting for the midterm elections, Democrats pushed the referendum ahead with the nationwide political local weather in thoughts. Holsworth mentioned Democrats traditionally carry out effectively in Virginia after they make elections about Donald Trump.
“Even with the previous maps, I feel the Democrats had been prone to decide up one and maybe two seats within the congressional elections as effectively, as a result of as soon as once more, simply as they did tonight, they are going to make the midterms about Donald Trump’s efficiency,” Holsworth mentioned.
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