It’s been more than 200 years since the first sighting of the salamander in Massachusetts in 1812, foisted upon the public by Elbridge Gerry. Over those two centuries, the creature has consumed or created countless millions of useless votes by… Read More ›
gerrymandering
Virginiamanders
An innocuous phrase in the Constitution (Art. I, Sec. 2) propels one of the most crucial aspects of the nation’s political dynamics. “The actual enumeration [of persons] shall be made…within every subsequent term of ten years, in such manner as… Read More ›
Cancel the Culture of Democracy
At times, we are moved to shake our heads in wonder at the adaptability of politicians, especially right wingers, and more especially Republican conservatives (if, in fact, there is a difference in those terms), to coopt a concept for their… Read More ›
REPOST: Ideology Blinds Public Interest
Editors’ Note: We are reposting this article from April 13 of this year discussing the redistricting amendment that will be on the ballot this November. Given that absentee ballots will be mailed out and in-person early voting begins throughout the… Read More ›
Majority Madness
The following statement caught our attention as one that time and advances in political science have left in the dustbin of academic wisdom: Virginian-Pilot, April 1, 2020 One truth I often tell students: When it comes to politics, Republicans are… Read More ›
A Muddled Majority
Editors’ Note: See the following previous VoxFairfax articles on redistricting in Virginia: https://voxfairfax.com/2018/08/19/one-person-one-vote-in-congressional-elections/; https://voxfairfax.com/2019/07/08/virginias-path-to-one-person-one-vote-faces-dangers/; and https://voxfairfax.com/2019/04/22/landmark-redistricting-reform-passed-in-virginia/. On March 6, the Virginia House of Delegates, on a vote of 54-46, agreed to a Senate bill placing a constitutional referendum on the… Read More ›
SCOTUS Busts Virginia GOP Gerrymander Challenge
On June 17, 2019, SCOTUS rejected a GOP-led appeal on a gerrymandering case that shuttled back and forth in the Commonwealth for a few years. In Virginia House of Delegates v. Bethune-Hill, the court found that the appellants lacked standing… Read More ›
Landmark Redistricting Reform Passed in Virginia
Editors’ Note: We reprint here excerpts from an important letter from OneVirginia2021, which has been working tirelessly for redistricting reform in the Commonwealth. It contains crucial information and links to associated events. What Happened? Saturday, February 23rd, the Virginia General… Read More ›