As the U.S. Census Bureau on Thursday will give Virginia the detailed population data the state needs to redraw its congressional and state legislative districts.
The gut-wrenching, highly partisan process could result in yet another pitched battle between between Northern Virginia, which has seen rapid growth over the last decade, and the rest of the state.
Gov. Bob McDonnell’s bipartisan redistricting commission met for the first time Monday in Richmond, though it will only deliver recommendations to the General Assembly.
“After you hear from me today, you will not hear from me again,” McDonnell told the group, according to the Washington Post. “I will not dictate or direct your work. Nor would I expect the legislature to be dictating or directing your work in any way. . . . This is, in fact, meant to be an independent panel.”
