Redistricting reform: Opportunity knocks

By: Times-Dispatch Staff | Times-Dispatch
Published: January 30, 2011

Tomorrow Gov. Bob McDonnell's independent bipartisan advisory committee on redistricting holds its first public meeting. Although a mandate to enact would be preferable to a mandate to advise, this marks the most important step toward redistricting reform in Virginia since the creation of the gerrymander.

It may be impossible to take the politics out of politics, but politicians simply should not be entrusted with the authority to draw the lines for districts they and their colleagues (or partisan opponents) will represent. Last year Virginia enjoyed vigorous campaigns in four of its 11 districts in the U.S. House; three changed hands. If the results would tempt some to say reform is unnecessary, the preponderance of uncompetitive races for the state legislature would emphasize the potential virtues of independent maps. Moreover, 2010 and 2008 resemble the electoral shifts that may occur only on occasion.

Virginia is competitive. Although certain statewide contests have resulted in landslides, both parties have legitimate shots to win the governorship or seats in the United States Senate. In 2008, Barack Obama not only became the first Democratic presidential candidate since Lyndon Johnson to carry the commonwealth but he did so with relative ease. Races at the district level do not see swings so frequently.

Redistricting reform must strike a delicate balance. Many backers of bipartisanship also endorse the drawing of districts that maximize minority potential. Regarding congressional races, this cannot be done without violating concepts of geographic compactness. And if one district is gerrymandered to promote a racial or ethnic outcome, then other districts will be distorted. The goal may be less to eliminate gerrymandering than to diminish its consequences.

The commission is advisory, yet it has the potential to apply moral pressure to the General Assembly. The commission's recommendations should count for something. Later this year Virginians will find out if they do. Gerrymandering as an issue never has affected elections. Citizens do not vote for or against candidates because of their positions on redistricting. We do not endorse single-issue politics, but a lack of public interest contributes to the problem.