It’s official — the U.S. Department of Justice has signed off on new maps for Virginia’s 140 statehouse districts, clearing the way for candidates to run in newly drawn districts as scheduled this year.
“Obviously we are pleased by the Department of Justice’s determination that the state legislative redistricting plan passed by the General Assembly and signed by the governor complies with the Voting Rights Act,” said Attorney General Ken Cucccinelli. “We have believed from the beginning of this process that Virginia complied with all legal and constitutional requirements in adopting the new district lines, and the decision of the Department of Justice simply confirms that belief.”
Virginia is one of a handful of mostly southern states that must pre-clear its redistricting plans with the department because of a history of racial discrimination at the polls. Cuccinelli had also filed a pre-clearance suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to help facilitate a quick review.
Gov. Bob McDonnell vetoed the General Assembly’s first crack at redrawing the lines, saying that the Democratic Senate’s plan did not properly preserve communities of interest and could run afoul of the law.
The House and Senate later passed revised maps, which McDonnell quickly signed.
“The 2011 election cycle is already under way and will proceed as scheduled,” said McDonnell. “The process to get the legislation finalized was not easy, but, following my veto, the legislature produced good bipartisan plans that complied with the constitutional and legal requirements. I commend the members of the House of Delegates and Senate for their hard work during this process.”
Primaries for statehouse races are scheduled for Aug. 23, and the general election is set for Nov. 8.
