As we discussed in this space at the end of June, the West Virginia Legislature has assembled its Joint Committee on Redistricting. The committee, consisting of 24 Republicans and nine Democrats from both the Senate and the House, will draw new congressional districts to coincide with the state’s new 100 single-delegate district policy. When we visited this topic last month, we addressed concerns over gerrymandering, or drawing districts to favor one political party over another.
Unfortunately, the Legislature — and the U.S. Congress — failed to pass legislation requiring nonpartisan redistricting committees. In the absence of rule of law to hold our lawmakers accountable, it falls to us to make our wishes known.
The redistricting committee will hold 12 in-person public hearings across the state. The one in Morgantown is scheduled for Aug. 12, though the location is to be announced. The other closest hearing will be in Wheeling Aug. 24, also with the location to be determined. In addition to in-person meetings, three virtual hearings will be held, though information on those is pending.
We encourage you to attend these hearings — either in-person or virtually — and express your desire for fairly drawn districts where you, the voter, get to choose your representative rather than the other way around.
