Bluefield Daily Telegraph, Bluefield, WV

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September 9, 2011

Monroe County proceeds with lawsuit to challenge House redistricting maps

By KATE COIL Bluefield Daily Telegraph

UNION — The Monroe County Commission announced Thursday they are moving forward with a legal challenge to the current House of Delegates redistricting plan.

In August, the commission hired Attorney Jeffry A. Pritt to research and represent their case during the first round of redistricting talks. After Acting Gov. Earl Tomblin signed the House of Delegates redistricting bill on Sept. 2.

The current redistricting plan places most of Monroe County into a large two-member district with most of Summers County and the eastern portion of Raleigh County. According to the commission, Monroe County would have the lowest population total in the district and would therefore have a more difficult time electing a delegate from Monroe County. Additionally, the commission said precincts in the area of Alderson, Sinks Grove and Second Creek would be put into a district that is mainly occupied by Greenbrier County.

Monroe County Commission President Shane Ashley said the decision to litigate was made because the majority of citizens in Monroe County wanted to pursue action against the new district boundaries. In a statement issued by the Monroe County Commission, the commissioners laid out their reasons for pursuing legal action.

“The commission has elected to take this action because for the first time since our state was formed it appears that Monroe County will not have a resident representing it in the House of Delegates, and some Monroe County voters will be forced to vote for delegates from Greenbrier County,” the statement said. “The commission sent a delegation to Charleston to meet with legislative officials prior to the passing of the most recent redistricting bill.  As a result of the commission’s concerns amendments were offered and passed which did improve upon the original redistricting plan for our county.”

According to the commission, the West Virginia Constitution provides “certain safeguards to smaller counties with lower population totals” allowing these smaller counties to be “guaranteed that at least one resident is elected to the House of Delegates.”

“For these reasons the commission has determined that a legal challenge to the House redistricting plan is therefore necessary to protect the interests of all Monroe County citizens,” the statement said. “The commission regrets taking this action, but to permit Monroe County to be underrepresented  for  the  next  ten  years  until  the  next  redistricting  round  is  simply unacceptable.”

— Contact Kate Coil at

kcoil@bdtonline.com

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