Trump's GOP majority dealt another blow as blue state passes retaliatory redistricting

In another blow to President Donald Trump, voters in Virginia on Tuesday night approved a Democratic-backed referendum to pass an aggressive mid-decade gerrymander in retaliation for Republican states engaging in the same.

The vote was called by Decision Desk and CNN, with the vote at about 50.3% to 49.7% in favor.

Under the map approved by voters, four congressional districts currently held by Republicans would be redrawn to favor Democrats, leaving only one of the state's 11 districts as safe GOP territory.

The referendum faced an intense campaign with aggressive spending both for and against the measure.

Virginia is the second Democratic-controlled state to hold such a referendum, after California voters passed a similar one to add five Democratic-leaning seats last year.

These referenda were in response to Trump calling on Republican-controlled states to redraw their own maps to give themselves extra seats, with the hope of preserving their House majority amid declining poll numbers.

"Totally outrageous," one voter told CNN's Jeff Zeleny of Trump's effort to gerrymander elections for Republicans.

Republicans in Texas, North Carolina, and Missouri all acted to redraw for Republicans. However, the effort ended in failure in states like Kansas, Indiana, and New Hampshire, while Ohio Democrats managed to cut a compromise that left their state's map only slightly more favorable to the GOP.

Florida lawmakers are set to consider redistricting in the coming weeks.