Redistricting

A founding principle of our country is that each citizen is entitled to a free and fair electoral process including equitable representation. The practice of gerrymandering violates these principles. It allows representatives to choose their voters instead of voters choosing their representatives. This practice needs to stop. 

Democrats have introduced numerous proposals to take the power away from legislators and end gerrymandering. Since 2002, Democrats have introduced 87 bills to fight partisan gerrymandering -- compared with Republican’s measly three. I cosponsored legislation in 2016 and 2017 which would amend the Constitution to create nonpartisan redistricting commissions.

In 2020, Virginia voters approved a constitutional amendment creating a bipartisan commission to oversee the redistricting process that occurs every ten years. However, the new Virginia Redistricting Commission was unable to produce usable district maps in time for the 2021 election and the responsibility was passed to the Virginia Supreme Court, which finally set new congressional and General Assembly districts in December of 2021. While there is still legal deliberation on when these new districts will come into effect – on whether we have a special election this fall or complete full two-year terms – if re-elected in the next election, I will represent the new 16th District. The 16th will not have a dramatically different makeup from the current 44th. I keep most of my constituents, though I will unfortunately lose Hayfield precinct and part of Woodlawn. But I will pick up parts of Belleview, Huntley, and Westgate precincts. The Find My Legislator tool, under my Constituent Services tab, is always a great way to check who your delegate is.