A Virginia circuit court on Tuesday struck down a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at giving lawmakers the option to redraw congressional districts mid-decade, dealing a major setback to Democratic legislative leaders who say the change is needed to respond to partisan gerrymandering in some Republican-led states and had hoped to put the measure before voters in an April referendum.

A Virginia judge blocked Democrats’ redistricting plan, handing Trump a major legal win ahead of the midterm elections.

The bill would repeal an old section of Virginia code that says courthouses must post potential constitutional amendments three months before an election.

Six years after Virginians voted overwhelmingly to limit politicians’ say in drawing lines, Democrats are asking voters for permission to counter President Trump’s unprecedented race to rig congressional districts.