The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday denied a request from Republican members of Congress to put on hold an election map that gives Democrats a chance to pick up a seat in this year’s election.

The ruling is the latest in a series of decisions triggered last year by a panel of federal judges who said Virginia’s map illegally packed African American voters into one district at the expense of their influence elsewhere.

Last month, the judges sought to change that by imposing a map that increases the number of African American voters, who reliably vote for Democrats, in a district that stretches from Richmond to Norfolk. It is represented by Rep. J. Randy Forbes (R).

The matter is not settled entirely — the high court is still set to hear arguments in the case on March 21.

But Democrats viewed Monday’s decision as a sign that the June primary will take place under the new lines.

“This is an encouraging development that will allow the Democratic Party of Virginia to make the necessary adjustments to ensure a seamless Election Day with the new district lines,” Susan Swecker, chairwoman of the state Democratic party, said in a statement.

It also increases the pressure on potential congressional candidates who are considering running in the newly drawn districts.

Forbes is reportedly considering a run for the seat currently held by Rep. Scott Rigell (R-Va.), who is retiring in 2017. State Sen. A. Donald McEachin (D-Henrico) has said he would be interested in running for the district currently represented by Forbes.

[Endangered Virginia congressman could move to new district]

Of Virginia’s 11 representatives, eight are Republicans and three are Democrats.

The challenge to Virginia’s congressional district map and similar ones around the country were brought by attorney Marc E. Elias and funded by the National Democratic Redistricting Trust. Elias is general counsel to Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign and worked for Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s campaign.

The case has taken a circuitous route through the courts.

The judges ruled in favor of Elias in October 2014 and ordered the legislature to redraw the congressional map. Attorney Michael A. Carvin appealed on behalf of Virginia’s Republican congressional delegation.

While the appeal was pending, the Supreme Court decided a similar redistricting case in Alabama and ordered the federal panel to reconsider the Virginia one.

The judges affirmed their earlier decision, and congressional Republicans again appealed. Because of the special nature of redistricting challenges, appeals from three-judge panels go directly to the Supreme Court.