The Virginia Supreme Court’s decision to block a Democratic redistricting attempt hinged on technicalities around what constitutes an “election.” CNN’s Word of the Week explores the ruling.

Lawyers for a group of Republican legislators (along with an election official and two registered voters) urged the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday afternoon to leave in place a ruling by the Virginia Supreme Court which struck down an amendment to that state’s constitution allowing the Virginia General Assembly to enact a new congressional map.

The Virginia Supreme Court has struck down a Democratic congressional redistricting plan that had won voter approval.

A new map stands to give Democrats robust support in Virginia.

State officials asked the justices to overturn a Virginia Supreme Court decision that struck down a congressional map, a major defeat for Democrats.

The Virginia Supreme Court blocked a new Democratic-drawn congressional map from taking effect, delivering a major boost for Republicans as they defend their narrow House majority in the midterm elections.

By Joseph Ax and Tim Reid May 8 (Reuters) - Virginia's top court on Friday threw out a new electoral map that was crafted to flip four Republican-held U.S. congressional seats to Democrats, in a setback to Democratic hopes of retaking the House of Representatives in November's midterm elections.

A court ruling that struck down an election map swiftly ended some Democratic House candidacies and pushed others into much tougher races.