Despite Virginia House Republican Delays, Redistricting Will Finally Move Forward

From the VA House Democratic Caucus:

Despite Republican Delays, Redistricting Will Finally Move Forward

(Richmond) – House Democratic Leader David Toscano and Caucus Chair Charniele Herring issued the following statement in light of Speaker Cox’s decision to cancel the Oct. 21 floor session on redistricting.

“Unfortunately, the delay of House Republicans throughout this process has brought us to this point. The Speaker’s decision to cancel session brings him into agreement with Governor Northam and House Democrats that we’ve reached a legislative impasse on redistricting.

“Since the District Court of the Eastern District of Virginia ruled that eleven House Districts are unconstitutional on June 26, 2018, House Republicans ignored Democratic Leader Toscano’s repeated calls for action for nearly two months. In the face of silence by the Republican majority, an order by the District Court asked Republicans to state their intention on redistricting. House Democrats proposed a constitutional map that was killed on a party-line vote by House Republicans. 

“Only last week did House Republicans finally propose HB 7003. Even then, after months of waiting, they maintained the constitutionality of their packing of black voters. Redistricting should not be about partisan politics, but about ensuring that every Virginian has the opportunity to elect a representative of their choice. It appears that finally an independent court will restore that opportunity to black Virginians whose voting power had been diminished.”