Does this affect Virginia's gerrymandering?

Yes and no.

Yes, it sends a message to the lower courts that they either get it right or it will be overturned. (Virginia's map is doomed.)

No ... Virginia's map wasn't based on race. It was based upon heavily dark blue population centers having power over rural communities.

The appeal was based upon the poor wording of the ballot initiative itself.

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But if VA SC does not overturn, that's where it ends. Surely a question of the interpretation of state law.

SCOTUS has made it clear that purely political gerrymandering is ok.

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The referendum wording was misleading and disingenuous.

If the VA Supreme Court decides against or for the referendum ... it'll be appealed and the map will be overturned, eventually. Certainly not in time for the midterms.

Now, will the VA Supreme Court rule that the map is constitutional ... well, it's really just on hold (the implementation) right now, we're waiting on their decision. But the fact that they put it on hold is a good sign.

Keep in mind, the Virginia Supreme Court heard oral arguments Monday and announced yesterday that results cannot be certified until the constitutionality of the referendum is resolved, making it the final arbiter.

But could the VA Supreme Court's decision be appealed to a Federal District Court (I think they're in the 4th Circuit, which is notoriously liberal) and could it make its way to SCOTUS?

Technically yes, IF there is a federal case to be made regarding the wording of the referendum.

At least that's how I understand it. But if the VA SC rules it was unconstitutional wording ... pretty sure it stops there and the new, redrawn map is null and void.

Does that mean another vote could happen with a reworded referendum?

Technically yes but, the Democrats barely won this last time and they know, given all the attention this case has drawn, that they'd likely lose the 2nd time around.

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SCOTUS is only avenue for relief from state court of last resort and it rarely gets involved in questions purely of state law.

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Thanks ... that's even better. Leave it out of the 4th Circuit Court's hands and let SCOTUS turn it down.

Because the VA SC has almost got to rule that the wording of the referendum was unconstitutional.