Jad Khalil

It's a major defeat for national Democrats who are counting on Virginia to blunt President Trump's redistricting push.

State Democrats also spent lots of political capital on the effort.

Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates Don Scott said they would respect the result of the referendum.

Likewise, it's a win for Republicans.

State Senate Minority Leader Ryan McDougal said the ruling was constitutional and not partisan.

For NPR News, I'm Jad Khalil in Richmond.

Virginia's approval for redistricting brings Democrats even or ahead of the Republican redistricting push that President Trump kicked off in July last year.

The map that voters approved could lead to a four-seat gain for Dems in the House.

In a statement, Virginia's Democratic Speaker of the House, Don Scott, said Virginians sent a message to Trump.

Republicans said the process was tilted and the courts would have the last word.

There are still court cases outstanding that could nullify the results because Republicans have challenged the process by which Democrats put the redistricting question before voters.

Virginia is the second time voters have redistricted through the ballot box.

For NPR News, I'm Jad Khalil in Richmond, Virginia.

Virginia's approval for redistricting brings Democrats even or ahead of the Republican redistricting push that President Trump kicked off in July last year.

The map that voters approved could lead to a four seat gain for Dems in the House.

In a statement, Virginia's Democratic Speaker of the House, Don Scott, said Virginians sent a message to Trump.

Republicans said the process was tilted and the courts would have the last word.

There are still court cases outstanding that could nullify the results because Republicans have challenged the process by which Democrats put the redistricting question before voters.

Virginia is the second time voters have redistricted through the ballot box.

California was among the first to redistrict in response to Texas.