Jacob Grandstaff of Restoration News Media said on May 20 that the reaction of the Virginia Democratic Party to a recent state Supreme Court ruling demonstrates a lack of support for the principles of a constitutional republic. The commentary addresses the party’s response to the court’s decision invalidating their redistricting plan.
The issue centers on how political parties respond to judicial decisions and constitutional requirements, particularly regarding election processes. According to Grandstaff, “The childish meltdown Democrats have had in reaction to the Virginia Supreme Court’s striking down their unconstitutional gerrymandering shows they don’t know much about our republican form of government or simply don’t support it. A party that willfully ignores constitutional norms to rule by plebiscite cannot be trusted with the reins of power.”
Grandstaff published a commentary on Restoration News examining the Virginia Democratic Party’s response to a May 8 ruling by the Virginia Supreme Court. The piece focused on the party’s criticism of the decision that invalidated a redistricting proposal for failing to follow constitutional amendment procedures, according to Restoration News.
The Virginia Constitution requires that proposed amendments be submitted to voters in two consecutive legislative sessions with an intervening general election. The Virginia Supreme Court ruled that Democrats’ redistricting plan violated this process by attempting to bypass full voter approval requirements, according to Restoration News.
The Founders designed the U.S. Constitution with mechanisms such as separation of powers, federalism, and deliberate amendment processes to guard against pure majoritarian rule. Historical writings, including those by James Madison and John Adams, emphasized the risks of unchecked factional or popular passions overriding established legal frameworks, according to Restoration News.
Grandstaff serves as an investigative researcher for Restoration News, where he writes on state-level politics, constitutional issues, and policy developments with a focus on Virginia and national governance questions.
