RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - The U.S. Supreme Court has denied a request from Virginia's congressional Republicans to put a new congressional map on hold and allow the 2016 elections to proceed under the old boundaries.
The high court issued its denial Monday.
Republicans are also asking the court to reverse a decision by a three-judge panel that said lawmakers in 2012 illegally packed too many black voters into the 3rd Congressional District. The court is set to hear arguments March 21.
The new map could help Democrats win the 4th Congressional District, represented by Republican Rep. Randy Forbes.
Democrats praised the court's actions Monday, saying the decision was "encouraging."
