Virginia House passes bill to adopt proposed congressional map

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Virginia is closer to adopting the Democrats' proposed congressional map after the state's House of Delegates passed a bill on Tuesday that would allow voters to decide whether to allow a mid-decade redrawing of congressional districts.

The House of Delegates approved the Democrats' House Bill 29, which includes the proposed 10D-1R congressional map, on Tuesday, Feb. 10, after reaching an agreement last week regarding how they’d like to redistrict the Commonwealth.

The evening of Thursday, Feb. 5, Democrats released a new map on the General Assembly's website showing what could become Virginia's new congressional map, as well as the data behind it.

The new map is an attempt to protect democracy after President Donald Trump successfully lobbied several Republican states, such as Texas, to redraw their congressional maps in a way that favors Republicans.

The new map would see several congressional districts change substantially, multiple new districts becoming more diverse and almost all of these new districts favoring Democrats.

MORE: MAP: How Virginia Democrats’ redistricting proposal would reshape elections

If the plan is approved, it would alter Virginia's congressional maps, though there are still several hurdles, including the ongoing legal challenge, that must be cleared before this map is approved.

In late January, Democrats filed a notice of appeal to challenge a Tazewell County judge’s ruling that determined their redistricting efforts were illegal. The ruling blocked the Democrats' proposed constitutional amendment on mid-decade redistricting.

If this ruling can be cleared, the future plan would then head to voters for what would be a April 21 voter referendum.

MORE: Virginia House Democrats advances bill to set April 21 redistricting referendum

The HB 29 now heads to the Senate, which would also have to pass the bill before it would then be signed into law by Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D), who said she wouldn't get in the way if the map passed the General Assembly.