Now that the Census data has been released and maps are being created, the redistricting schedule is going to get increasingly full and fast-paced - and OneVirginia2021 is here to help you keep up! The Virginia Redistricting Commission met in Richmond for three hours Monday and another three hours on Wednesday. Here’s a short recap of everything that happened.
The Commission announced over the weekend that they had decided to change their mapping timeline - they would be spending this week finalizing criteria and honing their guidance to the mapping consultants and then we will see the first draft of statewide maps at the meeting on Monday, Sept. 20.
The two sets of counsel presented a memo they created together about the Voting Rights Act and its legal impact on drawing districts. There were several attempts to specify how mapping consultants should consider "coalition districts" (those that are majority non-white, but comprise two or more other racial or ethnic groups) - none of the motions passed, but the consultants are still bound to federal and state law on these issues.
The Commission approved the expenditure of up to $50k to incorporate data from the last five statewide primaries that included a candidate of color - this will help inform the Racially Polarized Voting analysis and ensure that the Commission is drawing fair maps for communities of color and complying with federal law.
The Commission also voted on a memo from both sets of counsel that clarifies how the mapping consultants should consider (1) political subdivisions, (2) political neutrality, and (3) communities of interest. After lengthy discussion, all parts of the document were unanimously agreed on by the Commission.
Most notable in the above decision - the mapping consultants have been explicitly instructed NOT to consider incumbent addresses or political data in their drafts. The Commission may incorporate that information later, but the starting point will be established without regard to this information.
We could see the first drafts of statewide maps by Friday night! They will be posted HERE first and accompanying analysis will follow HERE.
The public can comment on every draft map presented to the Commission, including the ones we are currently living under. This will help the Commission as they make decisions about final district lines. What do you like? What needs to change?
You'll be able to find all of the proposed maps and links to data and reports on the NEW maps section of our website.
For a full summary of the meeting, see what our friends at the League of Women Voters of VA have written.
P.S. Don’t forget - you can submit feedback to the Commission with our online form or by drawing a map of your community.
P.P.S. You can find the full Commission meeting schedule and links to agendas, materials, and viewing links on our Events page. The next meeting is Monday, Sept. 20 at 8am.