Virginia Rising

RICHMOND, Va. -State lawmakers return to Richmond on Monday, to redraw the lines for Virginia’s congressional districts.But groups pushing for redistricting reform aren’t impressed with the process.

A federal court found that state lawmakers concentrated minority voters in Virginia’s 3rd Congressional District to limit their influence in other areas.

And now critics say Republican leaders are preparing to approve a new plan without giving voters adequate input.

Dale Eisman is a spokesman for the group Common Cause.

“It’s clear the plans are already in someone’s computer somewhere,” Eisman told WDBJ in an interview Friday afternoon. “We haven’t seen them. Nobody else has seen them, outside of a few partisan insiders with partisan interests at heart. These districts belong to the people of Virginia.”

Eisman supports creation of a nonpartisan redistricting commission.

The groups Common Cause, New Virginia Majority and ProgressVa say lawmakers should be creating congressional districts that reflect the state’s diversity and promote political competition.