The Virginia Redistricting commission has failed to reach an agreement on new maps for the State Senate and House of Delegates. On Friday, after the latest compromised failed, several Democrat members of the commission walked out of their meeting, including Democratic co-chair Greta Harris. Harris said, “I think our work is done and what a shame it is”. The deadline for new maps to be submitted is Sunday, October 10th. A meeting scheduled for today was canceled. So it appears the commission was unable to complete their job and will not be presenting new district maps to the General Assembly.
With the failure of the commission, redistricting will be decided by the Virginia Supreme Court which is conservative. The justices will not draw the maps themselves but will rely on maps designed by experts chosen from lists presented by both political parties. The end result is likely to favor Republicans because that’s how the court leans.
Yet another example of “be careful what you wish for”. It was democrats in the General Assembly who first pushed for a redistricting commission when Republicans were in control. Once the Democrats gained control in the GA, they changed their tune, but the ball was already rolling toward a law establishing a redistricting commission after the 2020 census.
7 comments
Actually, this is the best possible scenario.
Did you see the picture at the top? All those commissioners are masked bandits. Call the police! We’re being robbed.
I think the new map will look much better with the eastern boundary of Districts 6 and 9 forming the demarcation between Virginia and the beginning of the new state of Appalachia. From New York to Alabama, the 4th largest state in the nation. Imagine just the toll revenue from outsiders.
Sorry, yourself. There is no way to draw maps that favor Republicans. We shall see but your predictions have a way of falling flat more times than not.
The Democrats walked out because they decided that they could handle it without controlling the Districts. They just control the elections.
I’ve examined all the maps generated by both sides (and citizens as well) and none of them favored Republicans. Some are slightly better for Republicans than others but all have Republicans losing ground. A fair map with no consideration for incumbents will be a significant shift to the left for Virginia. I suspect that is what the court will deliver.
Exactly! No maps favored Republicans which is why Republicans refused the so called “compromise”.
The Supreme court won’t pay any attention to those maps. They start all over with new maps and then vote on which one to choose. It will be a Republican-leaning map.
Sorry Charlie! Be careful what you wish for!