The Virginia Supreme Court ruled that the state's referendum to redraw its congressional districts was illegal, as it was influenced by spreading the votes of a few major urban areas across a relatively large state. The court ruled that Democrats in Virginia rushed the process to get the referendum on the ballot and on the governor’s desk, violating strict procedural guidelines in the state Constitution. The decision effectively blocks the new maps from taking effect. The Democratic National Committee and associated entities spent over $60 million on the redistricting efforts, despite the high-profile victories in off-year elections. The DNC had more debt than it did in its previous years and had hoped these victories would boost their fundraising efforts.