Supreme Court Rules In Favor Of Voters

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, the Supreme Court ruled to reject a challenge to a lower court ruling that found Virginia Republicans racially gerrymandered 11 districts across the state back in 2011. With today’s decision, African American voters in the affected districts will be able to vote under a constitutionally-legal map for the first time in eight years.

This decision now requires a new electoral map to be used in the November elections in which all 140 Virginia House seats will be up. The Supreme Court is set to release decisions on two additional partisan gerrymandering cases by the end of June.

In response, Sierra Club Virginia Chapter Director Kate Addleson released the following statement:

“Today’s ruling is a victory for all Virginians and helps ensure that for the first time in nearly a decade, almost every voter, regardless of race or party affiliation, will be able to fairly cast their ballot this November.”

In response, Sierra Club Democracy Program Director Courtney Hight released the following statement:

"Today’s Supreme Court ruling is an important step forward in ensuring that every American has an equal ability to choose our own elected officials. For far too long, districts across the country have been illegally and racially gerrymandered to benefit those already in power. The Supreme Court should continue to rule in favor of voters and democracy in all the decisions still to come.”