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The General Assembly is Considering Redistricting Reform, But Does it Go Far Enough?

Lawmakers in Richmond have been hearing for years about the problem of gerrymandered districts. Now they’re ready to take some action. But, as Michael Pope reports, critics say it doesn’t go far enough.

Virginia’s House and Senate districts snake up and down the commonwealth in a way that often splits up cities and counties. Members here at the Capitol represent as many as 11 different jurisdictions, which means that none of those jurisdictions can claim a single member who is looking out for their interests. And the congressional boundaries in Virginia are so oddly shaped they’ve invited several lawsuits. That’s why Republican Delegate Chris Jones of Suffolk — that’s half of Suffolk and half of Chesapeake — has a bill that would make sure political boundaries are respected the next time lawmakers draw maps.

“And so I think at the end of the day you would have more members with fewer jurisdictions that they represent.”

Critics say Jones' bill doesn’t go far enough because it doesn’t create a non-partisan commission to draw the maps. Democratic Delegate Kathy Tran of Springfield.

“That leaves it to this body and the other chamber to draw the district lines, and we have an inherent conflict of interest in that process.”

The bill also leaves out a prohibition against political gerrymandering, where lawmakers might draw a district that doesn’t include an incumbent or perhaps forces two incumbents to fight for the same seat.

This report, provided by Virginia Public Radio, was made possible with support from the Virginia Education Association.

Michael Pope is an author and journalist who lives in Old Town Alexandria.