# SCOTUS Denies VA Gerrymandered Maps from Taking Effect + VA Supreme Court Oral Argument

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-high-court-report-7304353/scotus-denies-va-gerrymandered-maps-from-taking-effect-va-supreme-court-oral-argument
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-high-court-report-7304353/scotus-denies-va-gerrymandered-maps-from-taking-effect-va-supreme-court-oral-argument.md
Podcast: [The High Court Report](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-high-court-report-7304353)
Published: 2026-05-16T09:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://thehighcourtreport.com//scotus-denies-va-gerrymandered-maps-from-taking-effect-va-supreme-court-oral-argument
Audio file: https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/d624eb51-37f5-48dc-9928-45a52cec53d4.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-high-court-report-7304353/episodes/scotus-denies-va-gerrymandered-maps-from-taking-effect-va-supreme-court-oral-argument
Duration seconds: 3627

## Resource

Scott v. McDougle | Virginia Gerrymandering Case | Docket Link: Here On May 15th, the Supreme Court blocked Virginia's gerrymandered maps from taking effect. This episode breaks down the main issue and airs the Virginia Supreme Court oral arguments. Case Overview: Virginia Supreme Court struck down partisan gerrymandering amendment because 1.3 million Virginians voted early before legislature's second approval, violating constitutional requirement that valid general election separate two legislative votes. Question Presented: Whether General Assembly complied with Article XII Section 1's intervening-election requirement when approving constitutional amendment twice before referendum. Oral Advocates Scott (Appellant): Matthew Seligman Commonwealth of Virginia (Appellant): Tillman Breckenridge, Virginia's Solicitor General McDougle (Appellee): Thomas McCarthy Posture: Circuit court invalidated referendum. Virginia Supreme Court affirmed. Main Arguments: Petitioner (Scott): (1) "Election" means Election Day only, not early voting period; (2) Legislative authority requires deference to General Assembly's constitutional interpretation; (3) Voter approval through 1.6 million ballots demonstrates democratic legitimacy. Respondent (McDougle): (1) "Election" encompasses complete voting process from early voting through Election Day; (2) Strict compliance with amendment procedures protects against legislative overreach; (3) Foster v. Love establishes elections include all voting actions. Holding: 4-3. Majority opinion by Justice D. Arthur Kelsey affirmed circuit court. Chief Justice Powell dissented, joined by Justices Mann and Fulton. Referendum invalidated despite voter approval. Majority Reasoning: (1) Article XII Section 1 requires valid intervening general election between…

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