Virginia Redistricting Commission deadlocks, surrenders mapmaking to Supreme Court

The Virginia Redistricting Commission failed to approve any maps by its October 25, 2021 deadline after partisan divisions prevented the 16-member body from agreeing on a starting point for either congressional or state legislative districts. Democratic citizen members Greta Harris, James Abrenio, and Brandon Hutchins walked out of a key session in October. Under Article II, Section 6-A of the Virginia Constitution, the commission formally passed authority to the Supreme Court of Virginia to draw the maps.