Redistricting Plan Approved by Virginia Senate

The Virginia Senate has passed a redistricting plan for the commonwealth more to Governor Bob McDonnell’s liking after he initially vetoed the original plan sent up to him.

This decision has been reached soon enough that primary elections scheduled for August will occur, despite fears that they would have to be pushed back. In keeping with the 1965 Voting Rights Act, Virginia must submit its plan to the U.S. Department of Justice for a 60-day review to ensure that the maps do not discriminate against black voters. The plan, if passed, will give three new delegates and a new Senate seat to Northern Virginia, based out of Loudoun and Prince William Counties.

“In my veto letter, I asked the Senate to send me a plan that was bipartisan and addressed potential legal issues,” McDonnell, a Republican, said in a statement. “The plan approved today is in line with those goals. This plan retains more geographic and municipal boundaries, contains districts that are somewhat more compact, and passed the Senate on a strong bipartisan vote. “

McDonnell said that he considered the plan a “great improvement” over the previous plans he vetoed. The original Senate plan did not gain a single vote from the minority Republican party. Senate Majority Leader Richard L. Saslaw (D-Fairfax) had originally said the Democrats would not change anything about the plan, which could have had the redistricting end up in the courts.

Saslaw and other Democratic Senators backed off from their uncompromising stance when it became apparent that it would serve their interests better to work with Republicans to make a more bipartisan plan. Both sides now seem to be, if not entirely happy with the plan, more resigned to it.

“I’m going to vote for this plan — not because I embrace it with any degree of affection,” Senate Minority Leader Thomas K. Norment Jr. (R-James City) said.

“Each side wanted more, and we had to settle halfway,” Saslaw said. “They gave up some, we gave up some. That’s what it’s all about. . . . Both sides did okay.”