Virginia Democratic lawmakers on Friday took the first big step in a complicated maneuver to redraw the state's congressional map before next year's midterm elections.

An effort to redraw congressional district maps in Virginia to favor democratic candidates has passed the Virginia General Assembly.

The commission, comprising both legislators and citizen panelists, was an attempt to take map drawing out of the hands of lawmakers and come to a more bi-partisan, citizen-based effort.

The Ohio Redistricting Commission unanimously passed a congressional map in a Friday morning meeting, increasing Republican advantage in the state 12-3 and blocking a referendum effort.