As Virginia congressional map advances, backlash over state plan continues
April 14, 2011
By Tyler Millhouse
RICHMOND, Virginia: The Virginia House of Delegates passed its proposed congressional maps on Tuesday by a 71-23 margin. House Republicans, who hold a 59-39 advantage in the chamber, backed the plan. The new map also garnered the support of the state's congressional delegation, including both its Republican and Democratic members. Senate Democrats, however, passed an amended version out of committee which attempts to create a second, minority-heavy district. Before the Senate took a final vote, legislators agreed to break from the process and return prior to the end of the month.[1]
While residents await the outcome of congressional redistricting, activists called for Gov. Bob McDonnell to amend or veto the state's legislative redistricting plans.[2] The plan, approved by both chambers last week, has been sharply criticized for its overtly partisan districts. Douglas Smith, of the Virginia Redistricting Coalition and Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy, argued that the maps, "make legislative districts less compact, split more counties and cities and separate common-sense communities of interest even more than the maps currently in place."[3] This view was corroborated by the Wason Center for Public Policy at Christopher Newport University. The center's report (dead link) on the new maps found that the state's plan exacerbates current partisan gerrymandering, fractures communities of interest, and contorts legislative districts.[4]
In addition to these criticisms, Prince William County Chairman Corey Stewart and local NAACP chapter President Ralph Smith held a joint press conference to attack the State Senate's plan. Prince William County in Northern Virginia has about 400,000 residents or just enough for 2 state senators.[5][6] However, under the current state plan, the county is home to parts of six distinct districts. Smith and Stewart charge that this redistricting plan dilutes Prince William's influence in the Capitol and dilutes the clout of minority voters. However, Senate Democrats rejected these allegations, arguing that the maps preserve minority voting power by preserving existing majority-minority districts and creating three new ones in Northern Virginia. In addition, the caucus argued that having a vote in six different districts actually amplifies the county's influence.[7][8]
McDonnell, who has not yet commented on his intentions, must act on the bill by next Tuesday.[2]
See also
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- Virginia legislative redistricting plan headed to McDonnell
- Virginia House approves state legislative redistricting plan
- Virginia Senate approves state legislative redistricting plan
- Redistricting in Virginia
- Virginia House of Delegates elections, 2011
- Virginia State Senate elections, 2011
External links
- Legislative Information System, HB 5001, Bill History (Congressional)
- Congressional Plan, Redistricting Documents and Details
- Legislative Information System, HB 5001, Bill History (State)
- Senate Plan, Redistricting Documents and Details
- Senate Plan, Interactive Map
- House Plan, Redistricting Documents and Details
- House Plan, Interactive Map
Footnotes
- ↑ PilotOnline.com, "Va. lawmakers take a break from redistricting," April 13, 2011
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Richmond Times Dispatch, "McDonnell urged to veto or amend proposed map," April 14, 2011
- ↑ Richmond Times Dispatch, "McDonnell urged to veto or amend proposed map," April 14, 2011
- ↑ Washington Post, "Report: New legislative districts would be worse than the old ones," April 13, 2011
- ↑ US Census Bureau, "U.S. Census Bureau Delivers Virginia's 2010 Census Population," February 3, 2011 (See: Custom tables)
- ↑ Ballotpedia, Population represented by state legislators
- ↑ Woodbridge Patch, "NAACP Joins County Chairman In Protest of Senate Redistricting Plan," April 13, 2011 (dead link)
- ↑ Washington Post, "Senate Democrats respond to Pr. William County’s and NAACP’s redistricting attack," April 13, 2011
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