What Tonight Means For Gerrymandering In Virginia

[riversedge]

http://fivethirtyeight.com/live-blog/2017-election-live-coverage-results/?lpup=24240715#livepress-update-24240715


Galen Druke 9:15 PM What Tonight Means For Gerrymandering In Virginia

2020 is a census year, and that means that from now until then, there is an added layer of meaning to some state elections: Which party will be in control of redistricting in 2021?
Matthew Chapman‏Verified account @fawfulfan

Tonight is the night that partisan gerrymandering died in Virginia.

Link to tweet

States redraw their congressional and state legislative districts every 10 years, after the census is conducted. In most states, the state legislature draws the maps, and the governor approves them. Virginia’s district maps are widely considered to be gerrymandered in favor of Republicans. According to the efficiency gap measure (which, yes, has flaws), both its congressional and state legislative maps show a bias.

We don’t know yet which party will be in control of Virginia’s General Assembly after the 2020 election, but after tonight, we do know that the state will have a Democratic governor. At the very least, Gov. Northam will be able to veto district maps that disadvantage Democrats. If Democrats control the General Assembly after 2020, they might be able to gerrymander in their own favor.

[a kennedy]

1. Woohoo, now if the Supreme Court can give Wisconsin the same outcome......

[crazycatlady]

2. It also means we can overcome gerrymandered districts

[uponit7771]

3. yes, with a 4% plus vote for parity ... that's OK, Red Don will make sure we get that

[Nay]

4. I believe VA is under a court order to undo its gerrymandering ways -- the courts

definitely said it was deliberately skewed toward Republicans. I have no idea when the redistricting is supposed to be done; maybe after the census? But now, with more Dems in, fixing the gerrymandering will not be blocked.

[Fred Sanders]

5. Gerrymandering is a crime against Democracy. The perpetrators should be jailed.

Democrats should show the way by NOT gerrymandering...there is excellent software to create fair and compact districts. Use it and take the high ground.

Voters will notice anyone no longer wanting to be in the swamp.

[Wounded Bear]

6. Sounds good to me...

[Shanti Mama]

7. I don't want gerrymandering in Democratic favor

I want no gerrymandering and complete fairness. Let the peoples' voices be heard!