A state senator facing a competitive reelection bid this fall has proposed legislation that would make his district more Republican — and therefore safer for him. Sen. Bryce E. Reeves, a freshman senator from Spotsylvania County, about an hour south of the District, won his seat four years ago by 226 votes. He already faces a Democratic challenger this year. Reeves filed a bill that would trade precincts with a neighboring district represented by Sen. R. Creigh Deeds (D), giving Deeds a heavily Democratic precinct and taking for himself a Republican one.
Reeves said the bill was not intended to give him a political advantage but to unite two split precincts — which it would do — in order to eliminate confusion for voters and simplify the process for election officials.
“Because of the way the district is designed, there is no perfect plan,” he said. “There are about five different ways to split the child, so that’s the plan I came up with.”
Deeds, who voted against the bill despite the advantage it would give him, said the bill is a politically motivated, unconstitutional attempt to shift entire precincts.
Full Article: Challenge ahead, Va. state senator’s bill would make his district even safer – The Washington Post.