The Virginia Supreme Court invalidated a voter-passed redistricting referendum that would have given Democrats four additional U.S. House seats, ordering a return to the 2021 map and signaling a setback for Democratic efforts in national redistricting battles.
Voters in Virginia are deciding a redistricting referendum that could create up to four Democratic-leaning U.S. House seats; backed by substantial funding, the measure would allow partisan redistricting through 2030 and faces ongoing legal challenges as part of a national redistricting contest. Early voting showed strong turnout ahead of the vote.
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed a broad spending bill that includes maps intended to tilt the U.S. House delegation toward Democrats, creating one solid-red district in the southwest and blue-leaning districts elsewhere, with a statewide referendum set to decide the plan’s fate. The effort could add four Democratic seats if voters approve the referendum, but it faces hurdles including a court injunction in a Republican county, Virginia Supreme Court reviews, and GOP opposition accusing Spanberger of a partisan power grab. Early voting could begin March 6 ahead of an April 21 vote, though legal challenges loom over the process.
Italy's recent referendums on citizenship and labour laws failed due to low voter turnout, falling short of the required 50%, which was seen as a boost for Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and a setback for the opposition. The votes aimed to reform citizenship requirements and labour protections but were largely boycotted, especially by Meloni's supporters, leading to a significant defeat for the proposals.
Voters in Wisconsin participated in the presidential primary and various local races and referendums. Results are still coming in, with Joe Biden and Donald Trump projected as winners of the Democrat and Republican presidential primaries. There were also questions about using private money for elections and school referendums on the ballot. Various mayoral races and school board results were also being closely watched.
Wisconsin held its spring general election, with the only statewide race being for the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Voters in southeast Wisconsin also voted in the state Senate District 8 race, while some voted in the race for Court of Appeals judge - District 1. There were also three statewide referendums on the ballot, as well as aldermanic races in some parts of Milwaukee and school board races and referendums in many communities. Races ranging from mayor to town supervisor were held in counties across southeast Wisconsin.