Could GOP grab control of redistricting in Virginia?

[FBaggins]

Virginia officially kicks off its redistricting process this week when the Census makes it one of the first states to receive detailed population data. (And, yes, we are very excited for this first round of announcements. NERD ALERT.)

The Commonwealth and three other states get their data first, since they hold state legislative sessions in 2011 and need to get their maps drawn fast. But Virginia Republicans may be in no rush -- especially when delaying the process could reap some real benefits.

Control over the redistricting process is currently split in the Commonwealth -- a set of circumstances that often leads to compromise between the two parties. But some Republicans say there may be a way for the GOP to gain full control of the process, and all it requires is a little time and a successful 2011 election.

...snip...

The question is whether Republicans try to push off the redistricting process until after the election. They can definitely wait to draw the congressional map, since no federal elections will be held in 2011. Whether they can wait to draw the state legislative districts is an open question.


http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/mapping-the-future/could-gop-grab-control-of-redi.html


Note - The author seems to have missed that this has already happened in VA. The 2001 redistricting was not finished in time for the 2001 state elections... so the court ordered them to run in their existing districts. Instead of winning a two-year term, they had to finish redistricting and then run again in the new districts in 2002 (meaning that state house members ran in three years straight).

[annabanana]

1. Oh I think we can COUNT on it.. . . .. n/t

[michreject]

2. They will in MI

The GOP has control of the House, Senate and Executive office. I've read that the 2012 election will pit Dingel-D against Dillon-D for Democratic leadership of a newly created dist. Since MI has lost a house seat, it will be a D that loses that seat. We can't stop it.

[FBaggins]

3. There's no question that they will in many places.

Here in NC it's almost a certainty.

But VA presents a special case because of their schedule of elections and the current split in the state legislature.

[michreject]

4. I think it's just a peek of what the future holds nationwide

And we are powerless to stop it.

As a result of the 10 elections, I think the GOP controls 35 states.