Redistricting Process to Begin in BOCS Meetings

The Board of County Supervisors will initiate the redistricting process on Tuesday when it considers a resolution to set the guidelines for redistricting.

Tuesday's resolution will authorize a public hearing to consider the board's redistricting plan and get public comment and input. According to Coles District Supervisor Marty Nohe, the board will have county staff draw up an initial map using census data that the public will be able to comment on and the supervisors will then be able to mark up for changes.

The county is required by the state constitution to evaluate its magisterial districts according to census data once every 10 years, redrawing the lines of the districts to ensure that each has an equal population. The county has set up a special web page with information on the redistricting process.

Redistricting also occurs on a state-wide level, and Northern Virginia voters will have the opportunity to comment on the state process in a public hearing at George Mason University on Tuesday, March 15 at 7:00 p.m.

The hearing is being hosted by the Independent Bipartisan Advisory Commission on Redistricting. The commission was created by Governor Robert F. McDonnell and charged with ensuring bipartisan citizen involvement in the General Assembly and Congressional redistricting process.