Last week in a 2-1 decision, the Eastern District Court of Virginia, decided the case Bethune-Hill et al v. Virginia State Board of Elections et al.  Written by Senior U.S. District Judge Robert E. Payne, the Court upheld the House of Delegates’ redistricting plan adopted in 2011.  Judge Payne concluded that “each of the twelve Challenged Districts withstands constitutional scrutiny under the Equal Protection Clause.”

In a statement, Virginia House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) stated:

“We are very pleased that the Eastern District Court upheld the bipartisan redistricting plan adopted by the House of Delegates in 2011. Today’s decision validates our consistently held view that the House districts were drawn in accordance with the Constitution, all state and federal laws, and in a fair and open process.

“This politically-motivated lawsuit, funded by liberal billionaires, unnecessarily cost Virginia taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars. The lawsuit came despite the fact that the House districts were adopted with bipartisan support, including the support of a majority of the African American members in the House of Delegates at the time, and approved by President Obama’s Department of Justice.”

The RNLA will be discussing this case in depth today for its yearlyVirginia Election Law Training with its panel of all-star panelists.  To purchase tickets for Virginia MCLE credit, click here.