Virginia begins special redistricting session
April 4, 2011
By Tyler Millhouse
RICHMOND, Virginia: The Virginia Legislature began its special session today in order to complete state legislative redistricting. The state has experienced dramatic growth in Northern Virginia due to government spending and growth in the Washington, DC suburbs.[1] The controversy surrounding the process has been amplified by the partisan interests of the Republican house and Democratic Senate.[2]
On March 29, both chambers released preliminary redistricting maps. The maps, drawn by their respective chambers, reflect the interests of the majority parties. In the senate, Democrats drew maps which consolidated two Republican districts in Virginia Beach and favored Democratic incumbents on the Peninsula. In the House of Delegates, Republicans eliminated a Democratic district in Norfolk and diluted local Democratic districts while strengthening Republican districts on the Peninsula. Notably the plan moves Democratic districts into Northern Virginia and displaces several Democrats, including House Minority Leader Ward Armstrong (D).[3] Both maps have been sharply criticized by minority leadership.[4]
Approval of final maps could come as early as Wednesday, April 6.[5]
See also
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- Redistricting in Virginia
- Virginia House of Delegates elections, 2011
- Virginia State Senate elections, 2011
Footnotes
- ↑ Washington Post, "Virginia General Assembly to convene legislative redistricting session," April 3, 2011
- ↑ Fredericksburg.com, "State redistricting maps have critics," 3/31/2011
- ↑ Fredericksburg.com, "State redistricting maps have critics," 3/31/2011
- ↑ Daily Press, "Virginia redistricting fight begins; Senate and House release proposals," March 29, 2011
- ↑ Daily Reporter, "General Assembly opens redistricting lightning round advancing new House, Senate majority maps," April 4, 2010
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