Virginia approves redistricting measure, boosting Democrats' hopes for midterms

Virginia voters have approved a redistricting measure that could help Democrats in their bid to win control of the thinly-divided US House of Representatives in the midterm elections later this year.

The ballot measure will redraw the state's congressional map, and could allow Democrats to win as many as four House seats that are currently held by Republicans.

The state is the latest in a national redistricting arms race that began after President Donald Trump urged conservative states to re-examine voting maps to help Republicans keep the party's slim congressional majority.

The midterms, which will decide who controls Congress, will take place in November.

Each of these newly-drawn districts could have a role in deciding which political party takes the House, or lower chamber of Congress.