Trump Judge Dismisses Case to Fix Virginia's Unconstitutional Districts

If Thomas, Thompson and Thomas Don’t Have Standing: NO ONE DOES. With 99 days left to election day, U.S. District Judge David Novak (appointed by Trump in a deal with two Democrats from Virginia in the U.S. Senate) has dismissed the cases brought by Pastor Michelle Thomas, attorney Phil Thompson and Jeff Thomas.

The challenge to the old districts was brought forward at first by Richmond attorney Paul Goldman. Judge Novak has oversaw Goldman’s case and those later brought by Thomas, Thompson and Thomas. Goldman appealed the decision to the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals after Novak dismissed his case in June.

Judge Novak dismissed the case arguing that the plaintiffs had ‘no standing.” That seems quizzical given that Thomas and Thompson are African Americans in the very districts that are most impacted. The words CASE CLOSED appear on the ruling and it’s unlikely that will change even on appeals given that there are only 99 days left until Election Day as of today.

Activate Virginia @ActivateVA

Virginia voters overwhelming approved a constitutional amendment in 2020 that required 2021 elections in new districts. Both political parties and their mercenary attorneys ignored this for their own self interest. Now VA is stuck w/ a GOP House in unconstitutional districts. https://t.co/AfRalOB9MS

Democracy Docket @DemocracyDocket

Ohio voters overwhelmingly approved constitutional amendments to ban partisan gerrymandering. Ohio Republicans ignored these reforms — and got away with it. Now, Ohioans have to vote under maps this year the state Supreme Court has ruled unconstitutional.https://t.co/VOdakaVJIk