Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell on Friday signed revised maps for the state’s 100 House and 40 Senate district seats after vetoing an earlier plan approved by the General Assembly.
McDonnell had criticized the original legislation approved by lawmakers, taking particular umbrage at a Senate map he said could violate state and federal law and failed to garner a single Republican vote.
He said that while no plan is perfect, the new bill, approved Thursday by both chambers on bipartisan votes, addressed his concerns. Any further delay on the part of the legislature could have resulted in an unpredictable and potentially drawn-out court battle.
The governor’s signature now clears the way for primaries to be held Aug. 23 for the state’s 140 legislative seats, with the general election scheduled for Nov. 8.
Virginia still must submit its maps to the U.S. Department of Justice for review because of the state’s history of racial discrimination.
