GOP’s Steps To Redesign Districts Surprise & Shock Senate Democrats

A surprise move in the State Senate sent shock waves around the Capitol on Monday with an unexpected redistricting bill that would, among other things, unite the Lynchburg area in a single Senate district by Election Day of 2015. GOP members say their goal was to improve compliance with the Voting Rights Act. But Democrats say they were blindsided by “a power grab”. The bill forced through by Republicans is a redraft of Virginia’s 40 Senate districts; it will next go to the House of Delegates, some of whose districts would be redesigned. If approved by both the House and Senate, it then goes on to the Governor for his signature.