For the last six years, Senator Deeds has proposed the creation of a redistricting commission to remove partisanship and incumbent protection from the drawing of legislative and congressional districts. In 2007, Deeds' proposal made history when for the first time a bi-partisan redistricting proposal passed a chamber of the General Assembly.
In 2008 Senator Deeds once again carried a proposal to reform the partisan process by which legislative districts are drawn to protect incumbents and maximize the strength of the ruling party. His bill, with the support of Governors Tim Kaine, Mark Warner and George Allen, and Lt. Governor Bill Bolling, would create a commission with an equal number of members appointed by leaders in both political parties. A seventh independent member would be chosen by a majority vote of the six appointees. The commission would be bound by criteria for drawing legislative districts that excludes the use of previous voting results, demographic data, or the addresses of incumbents. While the proposal passed with an overwhelming bi-partisan majority in the Senate it was defeated in the House of Delegates.
While bipartisan redistricting has not yet become a reality, Senator Deeds has lead the way and spoken up when others wouldn't. This important reform will end the bitterness and partisanship that is all too common in government, giving citizens a real choice at the ballot box and promoting cooperation in the legislature.
