How do you grade President Biden’s inaugural address? Vote!

Citizens can apply to serve on Va. redistricting panel

Applications have opened for citizens to serve on the Virginia Redistricting Commission.

The 16-member commission, created after passage of an amendment to the Constitution of Virginia, will consist of eight citizens and eight legislators tasked with proposing plans for redrawing districts for the U.S. House of Representatives, the state senate and the Virginia House of Delegates.

Eligible applicants must have been Virginia residents and registered voters in Virginia for the past three years and to have voted in at least two of the last three general elections. Those selected will not have held partisan or political office or other related employment. Virginia citizens can apply for membership on the commission regardless of education level, work experience or socioeconomic status.

The application for service on the commission and additional information, including specific criteria for eligibility, will remain available on the Division of Legislative Services' Redistricting website through Dec. 28.

The Redistricting Commission Selection Committee will choose the eight citizen members. Five retired circuit court judges serve on the selection committee: Pamela Baskervill, Joanne F. Alper, William C. Andrews III, Larry B. Kirksey and David Pugh.

The selection committee will pick citizen members from lists of candidates presented by the majority and minority leadership of the Virginia Senate and House of Delegates. Those selected must represent the racial, ethnic, geographic and gender diversity of Virginia.

The selection committee met Nov. 25, for the first time to approve the application process. The committee will meet again to review applicants and notify candidates of their selection in January 2021.

The Virginia Redistricting Commission will hold its first public meeting by Feb. 1, 2021. The commission will begin its work to develop redistricting plans for proposal to the General Assembly upon receipt of 2020 census data.

Applications may be submitted by email to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), faxed to 804-698-1899, or mailed to the Division of Legislative Services, Attn: Selection Committee, 900 E. Main St., Richmond, Va. 23219.

The application deadline is Monday, Dec. 28.

For more information, visit redistricting.dls.virginia.gov.