Virginia referendum on redistricting held in April [AFP Yonhap News file photo]

The Supreme Court of Virginia on the 8th (local time) invalidated a redistricting plan for the state's U.S. House of Representatives districts that was drawn to favor the opposition Democratic Party.

This is a significant blow to the Democratic Party amidst an intense gerrymandering war ahead of the midterm elections in November to select members of Congress and the governor.

The Virginia Supreme Court, by a 4-3 vote, invalidated the results of the referendum on the redistricting plan held last month and ordered that the midterm elections be conducted with the existing district configurations, according to the Associated Press.

Justice Arthur Kelsey, representing the majority opinion of the state Supreme Court, stated that the wording of the referendum was "unprecedented" and that "such a violation irreparably damages the integrity of the referendum, thereby invalidating it."

The invalidated referendum (held on April 21) was to ask for approval or rejection of a redistricting plan that would have allowed Democrats to secure up to 10 of Virginia's 11 U.S. House seats (currently 6 for Democrats and 5 for Republicans).

The referendum on the redistricting plan, driven by Democrats in the Democratic-leaning state of Virginia, passed, but the vote was close, with 51.5% in favor and 48.5% against.

The ballot contained a lengthy question: "Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended to allow the General Assembly to temporarily adopt new House of Delegates districts to restore fairness in the upcoming elections, while ensuring that all redistricting after the 2030 Census resumes the regular redistricting procedures of the Commonwealth of Virginia?" Republicans filed a lawsuit, arguing that the wording was not neutral.

U.S. President Donald Trump, a Republican, welcomed the ruling.

He wrote on the social media platform Truth Social that the Democratic-led redistricting was "terrible" and declared it a "big win for Republicans and America in Virginia."

In contrast, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) stated in a release, "The Supreme Court of Virginia has decided to invalidate the voices of the people of Virginia, disenfranchise their rights, and violate their due process. Such a ruling overturning an entire election is unprecedented and intolerably anti-democratic."

Jeffries added, "We are exploring every avenue to overturn this shocking ruling. No matter what, House Democrats will win in November and save this country from the extremism that Trump and Republicans are inflicting. Our fight is not over. It has just begun."

With about six months remaining until the midterm elections, which will redraw the legislative power landscape in the latter half of Trump's second term, the gerrymandering war between Republicans, seeking to retain their majority in the House, and Democrats, aiming to reclaim it, is unfolding fiercely.

Following a back-and-forth in large, populous states like Texas (Republican-leaning) and California (Democratic-leaning), and after the Virginia referendum to increase Democratic House seats passed, Republicans are pushing for redistricting in Florida to secure a comparable number of seats.