Virginia approves redistricting, giving Democrats edge in midterms

Virginia voters have approved a redistricting measure that could hand Democrats control of the thinly-divided US House of Representatives, US media report.

The state is the latest front in a national battle to redraw congressional districts after President Donald Trump and Republicans initiated a national gerrymandering push aiming to help conservatives maintain a congressional majority.

Democrats in California last year approved a similar measure to change the state's voting districts, with the goal of cancelling gains made by Republicans in redrawn maps in Texas.

Virginia's passed amendment will redraw the state's congressional map to flip as many as four House seats held by Republicans.

Democrats in the state currently hold six out of the state's 11 seats, and the updated map could allow them to hold up to 10.

The redistricting referendum is the most expensive ballot measure in Virginia's history by far, according to figures from the Virginia Public Access Project. Over $80m (£59m) was raised as of earlier this month by groups on both sides of the effort.

In his first public comments on Virginia's measure, Trump said on Monday that if House Democrats win a majority in the midterm elections, "it's going to be a disaster".

"I don't know if you know what gerrymandering is, but it's not good," he added.

States usually redraw their voting maps once every decade after new population data is released as part of the US Census.

Texas became the first state to launch a mid-decade change amid pressure from Trump, setting off a race for other states to alter their maps to help their respective political parties.

Texas' new map will give Republicans an advantage in five additional seats.

In response to Trump's support of Texas' changes, California Gov Gavin Newsom launched a campaign last year to suspend the Golden State's independently drawn maps in order to "fight fire with fire".

California voters approved their new maps in a special referendum in November, giving Democrats an edge in five new districts.

In the US, gerrymandering - the redrawing of electoral boundaries to favour a political party - is only illegal if it is based on race.

The Republican party is working to hold on to its thin majority in the House in November's midterm elections. Historically, the party of the current president loses House seats during this congressional vote.