Virginia judge rules redistricting plans illegal.

A Virginia judge has ruled that a proposed constitutional amendment letting Democrats redraw the state’s Congressional maps is illegal. Tazewell Circuit Court Judge Jack Hurley Jr. says lawmakers’ proposed constitutional amendment was invalid due to a technicality under state law that says such proposals must be passed and published by the clerk’s office at least three months before a general election. Lawmakers advanced their mid-decade redistricting resolution in October, less than a week before their statewide races. The ruling threatens Democrats’ efforts to pick up more U.S. House seats in the state in November.