Redistricting

You have probably heard about the redistricting referendum in Virginia on April 21st. It is an effort to counter the actions by Trump and his friends to gerrymander several Republican-controlled states, starting with Texas. He is trying to keep control of the House of Representatives at all costs in the midterm elections. Voting YES on this referendum is essential to preserve democracy at the national level.

What is really going on?

 Currently, Republicans are on track to lose control of the United States House of Representatives during this year’s midterm elections, and probably by a wide margin. President Trump cannot afford the loss of the House as he knows many of his questionable activities could be shut down. As a result, Trump and his pals are trying to increase the number of Republican Congressional Districts with severe gerrymandering, thus ensuring GOP control of the House of Representatives. This is happening in multiple Republican-controlled states including Texas, North Carolina, Missouri, Florida, and Ohio. If unchallenged, the GOP could pick up 10-15 seats.

 So far, California is the only Democratic-majority state to counter this power grab with a redistricting effort. California passed a referendum with safeguards similar to Virginia’s, and the U.S. Supreme Court upheld their redistricting.

 Virginia’s Democratic-controlled legislature has put forth an amendment to the Virginia Constitution allowing redistricting here in Virginia, but with safeguards. First, the amendment only goes into effect if other states such as Texas continue with redistricting. Second, the amendment expires with the 2030 census and Virginia returns to the normal redistricting process. Virginia’s referendum is scheduled for April 21st; early voting started last week on March 6th.

Republicans are going crazy over this. They are desperate and know they will lose in the April special election. They have tried to stop early voting and have filed several legal challenges. Last Friday, the Supreme Court of Virginia confirmed that the April 21st referendum will go ahead as planned, and lifted a temporary block issued by a Circuit Court Judge. Their decision rebuked the judge, saying: “Issuing an injunction to keep Virginians from the polls is not the proper way to make this decision.” The Supreme Court of Virginia has now ruled twice that the referendum may continue as scheduled.

 If successful, the new map could result in Democrats gaining control of 10 out of the 11 Virginia Congressional Districts after the November elections.

 I can hear you saying, “But Max, is that fair?”

 My answer: Trump’s efforts to steal the House of Representatives from the American people is what is unfair. We have all witnessed the ongoing Trump and Republican sacking of the America we love. Do we want that to continue after the midterms? For the past year, we have all heard, “Why don’t the Democrats do something to stop the president and his illegal and immoral activities?”  Well, with this Redistricting Referendum the Democrats in Virginia ARE doing something to stop Trump.

 Many of you know I am chair of the Fauquier County Democrats. Here in Fauquier, we are engaged on all fronts to help ensure this referendum passes. We are knocking doors, phonebanking, post-carding, putting up signs, and talking with our neighbors.

 Local Republicans are of course agitated and huffing and puffing. My Republican counterpart wrote a letter to the local paper calling redistricting illegal, and that it will lead to “electing far-left socialist legislators who will … legislate abortion up to and after birth, and provide sanctuary to millions of undocumented illegal aliens, many of whom have committed major crimes.” Whew Tim – I’m glad you got that off your chest. I suppose I should be happy he only called us far-left socialists, and not communists or Marxists as is often the case. 😉

 In my conversations with people, they are fired up and realize what is at stake nationally. They are voting and getting involved. If you live here in Virginia, Vote YES between now and April 21st. Talk with your friends, neighbors, and coworkers about why this is important and help get the vote out. We need every vote to ensure this passes.

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Addendum:

For those of you who want a pocket-sized version of what is going on with the Virginia Redistricting Referendum, here are the key points:

• The Virginia constitutional amendment will counter Trump’s effort to steal the November midterms by redistricting in several red states. 
• The Virginia amendment is temporary and limited in scope, with a return to normal redistricting with the 2030 Census.
• The special election is on April 21, with early voting starting March 6th. Voting YES on this referendum is essential to preserve democracy at the national level. If you want more information, click here