The House Privileges and Elections Committee effectively killed a bipartisan redistricting bill yesterday when the committee refused to reconsider a vote taken by its subcommittee Monday.
The subcommittee voted 4-2 to kill the measure, which would set up a bipartisan commission to advise the legislature on drawing new lines for legislative and congressional districts. The General Assembly will redraw the lines in 2011 after the 2010 census.
Democrats tried to revive the measure yesterday, but the Republican majority on a 13-8 vote declined.
In 2001 Republicans had control of redistricting for the first time. They used the power to gain sizable majorities in the House of Delegates, the Virginia Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives. Democrats have regained majorities in the state Senate and in the congressional delegation.
The Senate advanced a measure to let people vote absentee without an excuse. Currently, someone must cite one of 17 reasons. Proponents said it would raise participation; foes said it would increase fraud. Republicans in the House committee have blocked identical legislation, which is a priority of Gov. Timothy M. Kaine.
Contact Tyler Whitley at (804) 649-6780 or twhitley@timesdispatch.com.
Staff writer Jim Nolan contributed to this report.
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