Elections

On the eve of a closely watched Virginia Supreme Court hearing on redistricting, a Richmond judge dismissed a Republican bid to block Virginia from using new congressional maps.

Virginia Democrats made a national statement on Tuesday with a narrow victory in a voter referendum on a constitutional amendment to redraw congressional maps before midterm elections in November.

An executive order signed by the governor says any program to remove names from voting rolls must be completed 90 days before a federal election.

The Virginia Constitution gives voters the final say on whether to amend the document, but the state's highest court ultimately could decide whether to allow redistricting this year.

In February, Virginia Democrats revealed a proposed new political map that would give them an advantage in 10 of the state's 11 congressional districts. 

Early voting has begun in Virginia for a special election on April 21 on a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow the Democratic-controlled General Assembly to redraw congressional maps.