Constitutional solutions

Re: “GOP delegates propose own house redistricting plan,” Sept. 19

Delegates are supposed to first and foremost serve their constituents and not their personal or party’s interests.

With our Constitution calling for compact districts proportional to the population of the district, as nearly as is practicable and providing that it is unnecessary for any elected office holder to move residence during their term, the Republican and Democratic parties’ efforts to preserve sitting delegates in the districts where they now live is just more efforts to gerrymander.

Draw the new lines based on nothing but the Constitution of Virginia and the U.S. Constitution. Compact means the smallest practical perimeter. Practical takes into account natural barriers — rivers, bays, mountains — and should consider established municipal boundaries — city and county lines. As to which party’s delegates in what existing districts this affects, this should not be considered; it’s what happens when redistricting is done. Any other assertion is a counterfeit argument.

When this court-ordered redistricting is done, let’s amend the state constitution to have a nonpartisan independent group or contractor present all future decennial redistricting plans to the General Assembly for a confirmation process whereby the parties can make mutually acceptable boundary changes. Party disputed boundaries would default to the independent entity’s nonpartisan lines.