UPDATE: For other redistricting posts, primary sources, and other information regarding the Virginia Redistricting process in 2011 please see The Road to Redistricting Litigation in Virginia.
In an effort to befuddle commentators the, Virginia Senate Democrats keep releasing new plans. I guess the first map drawn was simply a "working draft."
Versions of the Senate maps were released on Tuesday March 29, Friday April 1, and now Monday April 4. All of my maps and analysis remained consistent for the first two versions. The third version made more substantive changes. For those looking at the redistricting website this version is labeled "SB_JHOWELLL_4_3_11"
Redistricting website: http://redistricting.dls.virginia.gov/2010/RedistrictingPlans.aspx#map
Excellent coverage of the changes can be found here:
In my top five least compact and contiguous districts, my major criticisms for number 5-2 remain the same after release of plan three.
But the Senate Democrats significantly altered the least compact and contiguous district, District 3.
My old description and map:
"1. District 3 - You must look at District 3. District 3 is on the Chesapeake Bay and tidewater portions of the Commonwealth. District 3 covers gerrymandered portions of three major peninsulas and areas on the southern part of the James River. To travel from one end of the district to the other, without leaving the district, one would have to cross three major bodies of water. Additionally two precincts on the James River appear to have been severed for no reason, Bacon’s Castle appears to no longer be connected to Rushmere. The entire area along the southern coast of the James River appears out of place, and barely, if at all contiguous with the rest of the district. If any district would impose substantial difficulties on representation, it is this district. For these reasons District 3 is the most likely district to warrant a viable challenge on the grounds that it is not compact or contiguous."
NEW DISTRICT THREE
The new District 3 (as of 4/4/2011) no longer includes the Northern Neck of Virginia and instead reaches into areas east of Richmond, to connect the Middle Peninsula and the Virginia Peninsula/Hampton Roads Peninsula by land.
The new map looks like this:
My new description is as follows:
District 3 - You must look at District 3. District 3 is on the Chesapeake Bay and tidewater portions of the Commonwealth. District 3 covers gerrymandered portions of two major peninsulas and areas on the southern part of the James River. To travel from one end of the district to the other, without leaving the district, one would have to cross two major bodies of water. In order to connect Parts of York County and Poquoson County to the remainder of District 3 one has to travel across water (there is a bridge) to access a portion of the district located on the same peninsula as other portions of the district. These two portions on the Virginia Peninsula/Hampton Roads Peninsula are not contiguous to each other. Additionally two precincts on the James River appear to have been severed for no reason, Bacon’s Castle appears to no longer be connected to Rushmere. The entire area along the southern coast of the James River appears out of place, and barely, if at all contiguous with the rest of the district. If any district would impose substantial difficulties on representation, it is this district. For these reasons District 3 is the most likely district to warrant a viable challenge on the grounds that it is not compact or contiguous.
District 3 is still the number 1 least compact or contiguous district in my opinion even after significant improvement.
Previous installments of this series:
Part One: the legal explanation of the Virginia Constitutional requirement of contiguous and compact districts
Part Two: The five most offensive districts.
Part Two can be found here:
Part Three: Maps and details of the five most offensive districts.
http://northernvirginialawyer.blogspot.com/2011/04/virginia-senate-redistricting-plan.html
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