AGENDA DATE: 12/1/2021
TITLE:
Title
2021 Redistricting
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Proposed Redistricting Schedule and Preliminary Redistricting Guidelines
ITEM TYPE: Consent Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Walker, Kamptner, Bessette, Herrick, Washburne, Emerick
PRESENTER (S): N/A
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: Localities are required to redraw their magisterial districts every ten years, based on the prior year's Census data. However, two factors will prevent the completion of redistricting during calendar year 2021:
1. The delivery of Census results to localities was significantly delayed, largely as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Though final Census data is typically delivered no later than April 1 of the year following a Census, the County did not receive the most recent Census data until August 12, well after the April 1 standard.
2. More importantly, a 2020 amendment to Virginia Code ? 24.2-307 now requires each precinct to be wholly contained within a single congressional district, state Senate district, House of Delegates district, and local governing body or school board district. Attachment A shows the four County precincts currently split between existing state Senate or House districts. Though state law now prohibits such "split precincts," the County cannot definitively avoid them going forward unless and until the new state and federal districts are determined. As the Board may be aware, the newly-formed Virginia Redistricting Commission was unable to agree on state or federal districts. That delay in federal and state redistricting in turn prevents local redistricting that definitively avoids split precincts.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Engaged Citizens - Successfully engage citizens so that local government reflects their values and aspirations.
DISCUSSION: The County's redistricting process will culminate in the Board's adoption of a redistricting ordinance. The redistric...
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