From the office of Senator Creigh Deeds:
RICHMOND-For the second consecutive year Senator R. Creigh Deeds has won Senate passage of a proposal to remove partisanship from the redistricting process: The full Senate on a 33-5 vote approved Senate Bill 38 today. [See: SB 38, 2008]
This is Senator Deeds' hallmark issue, one that he has championed every year for the past 6 years. This is the second year he has been able to shepherd it through the Senate, and there is great potential that even this kabuki House Delegation will pass it. Governor Kaine has endorsed the plan already.
Gerrymandering is an insult Virginia voters, and it is a testament to the courage of the Senate and Senator Deeds that this issue continues to grow in support. The willingness of Democrats to put their faith in voters and the wisdom of the people of Virginia will be rewarded and returned at the ballot box for years to come.
Does the process stall if all the Republicans vote for the status quo while Democrats attempt to make districts more equitable?
Democracy is messy. I would love to believe there is one "non-partisan" solution that gives all sides a fair shake, but I'm very skeptical.
I suppose it's worth trying, but it is frustrating that this only occurs once the Republican party sees the handwriting on the wall.