RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - A redistricting advocacy group has appealed a judge's decision upholding 11 Virginia House and Senate districts.
OneVirginia2021 said Wednesday that it has appealed the case to the Virginia Supreme Court. The group argues that lawmakers during the 2011 redistricting process violated the requirement that election districts must be compact.
Richmond Circuit Court Judge W. Reilly Marchant ruled last month that the districts are constitutional.
OneVirginia2021 wants the court to force lawmakers to give a priority to requirements like compactness during the redistricting process. The group argues that the process currently focuses too heavily on protecting incumbents and helping political parties.
Republican House Speaker William Howell said last month that lawmakers are prepared to defend the map again if the case is appealed.
