I asked ChatGPT this prompt:
Please write a 1000 word essay on the passage of the constitutional amendment on redistricting in Virginia with quotes from prominent Virginians at the time. Do NOT mention anything of the current redistricting efforts.
This is the untouched cut and paste:
Drawing Fair Lines: The Passage of Virginia’s Redistricting Amendment
In November 2020, Virginians made history by approving a constitutional amendment to establish a bipartisan redistricting commission — marking the first time in the Commonwealth’s history that voters, not politicians, would permanently alter the state constitution to reduce partisan control over how electoral maps are drawn. It was the culmination of nearly two decades of advocacy, political negotiation, and civic education. And it reflected Virginians’ growing frustration with gerrymandering — the practice of drawing political boundaries to favor one party or protect incumbents.
The Path to Reform
For most of Virginia’s modern history, redistricting was handled exclusively by the General Assembly. This meant that whichever party held power after the census could redraw legislative and congressional maps to its own advantage. In 2011, for example, Republicans drew maps that locked in majorities for a decade, while Democrats had done the same when they last controlled the process in the early 2000s. By the mid-2010s, both parties had, at different times, acknowledged that the system was broken.
The drive for reform accelerated after a series of court challenges — including Bethune-Hill v. Virginia State Board of Elections (2017), in which a federal court ruled that eleven districts had been racially gerrymandered. As Senator Mamie Locke (D-Hampton) later said,
“It was clear to all of us that the courts were doing our job for us. We had to act or lose the trust of Virginians in our democracy.”
The turning point came when a broad coalition of civic groups — most notably OneVirginia2021, led by political reform advocate Brian Cannon, and business-civic organizations like Virginia FREE and the League of Women Voters of Virginia — began pressing for a constitutional amendment. They argued that reform could only last if voters themselves enshrined it in the constitution, beyond the reach of partisan reversal.
A Bipartisan Moment
By 2019, momentum had reached both chambers. Then-Speaker Kirk Cox (R-Colonial Heights), who had initially been skeptical of structural reform, embraced the proposal, calling it a “generational opportunity.” As Cox put it:
“For decades, both sides have taken turns drawing the lines. This is our chance to end that cycle and put fairness into the process.”
Democrats, then in the minority, also supported the measure. Senator George Barker (D-Fairfax), a key architect of the compromise, said the goal was to “take the pencil out of the politicians’ hands.” He explained,
“Virginians have told us they want a process that’s open, fair, and transparent. This amendment ensures that future redistricting will not be controlled by one party or another.”
The reform passed the General Assembly with the required supermajorities in 2019 — the first of two successive approvals needed for a constitutional amendment. After Democrats won control of both chambers in November 2019, the second vote in 2020 became more contentious.
Tensions in a Changing Majority
When Democrats returned to Richmond in early 2020, many progressives, including Delegate Marcus Simon (D-Fairfax) and House Privileges and Elections Chair Charniele Herring (D-Alexandria), voiced concerns that the amendment did not go far enough. They argued it left legislators with too much influence on the commission — which would be composed of eight legislators (four from each party) and eight citizens selected by retired judges. If the commission deadlocked, the maps would be sent to the Supreme Court of Virginia for resolution.
Simon warned that the design “could lock in political gridlock” and empower courts rather than citizens:
“We are one of the last states still writing the rules of democracy this way. We owe Virginians something better — a truly independent process, not one where politicians still hold the pen.”
Supporters countered that perfection should not be the enemy of progress. Senator Emmett Hanger (R-Augusta), a longtime reform advocate respected across party lines, emphasized that bipartisan compromise was the only way to break decades of stalemate:
“If we don’t act now, we may not get another chance in a generation. This is not the perfect plan, but it’s a historic step forward.”
Even some skeptical Democrats ultimately voted for the measure, recognizing that constitutional reform required action before the 2020 census. Delegate Mark Sickles (D-Fairfax) said during debate,
“We can fix this over time, but we need to start somewhere. The voters deserve the chance to decide.”
The People Decide
On November 3, 2020, Virginians went to the polls to decide whether to ratify the amendment. The ballot question read:
“Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended to establish a redistricting commission, consisting of eight members of the General Assembly and eight citizens of the Commonwealth, responsible for drawing the congressional and state legislative districts that are subsequently voted on by the General Assembly?”
The measure passed decisively, with 66% of Virginians voting yes, and carried every congressional district except the 3rd (centered around Norfolk and Newport News). The bipartisan result reflected a deep appetite among voters for transparency and restraint.
Governor Ralph Northam (D), who had earlier expressed ambivalence but ultimately backed the measure, hailed it as a milestone:
“This is a historic day for Virginia. For the first time, voters have taken power from the politicians and put it where it belongs — in the hands of the people.”
Republican leaders likewise celebrated the outcome as a vindication of reform efforts. Former Governor Bob McDonnell (R), who had once proposed an independent redistricting commission in 2011 only to see it die in committee, called it “a victory for common sense and democracy.” He added,
“Both sides finally recognized that fair maps mean fair elections. This is good for Republicans, good for Democrats, and most importantly, good for Virginia.”
Why It Mattered
The amendment was notable not only for its bipartisan passage but for its constitutional permanence — meaning that future legislatures could not undo it by statute. It mandated public hearings, required transparency in map data, and guaranteed representation from both major parties and ordinary citizens. It also created an unprecedented partnership between politicians and the public — a hybrid model that sought to balance independence with accountability.
As political scientist Larry Sabato of the University of Virginia observed at the time,
“For the first time in modern Virginia history, voters said ‘enough.’ They understood that letting politicians choose their voters undermines democracy. This is an enormous step in the right direction.”
The reform also inspired similar efforts across the South, showing that bipartisan cooperation on democracy reforms was still possible in an era of polarization.
Reflections and Legacy
In the months following the amendment’s passage, reform advocates emphasized that success should not breed complacency. Brian Cannon of OneVirginia2021 reflected:
“This is the beginning, not the end. Fair maps are built on trust — and now that trust must be earned every ten years.”
Democrats and Republicans alike acknowledged that while the structure was imperfect, the principle was sound. Senator George Barker called it “the most consequential political reform since Massive Resistance.” Former Speaker Kirk Cox echoed the sentiment, saying,
History will look back on this as the moment Virginia put voters ahead of politicians.
Ultimately, the 2020 redistricting amendment represented a remarkable convergence of political pragmatism and civic idealism. It was not the product of one party’s triumph, but of a shared recognition that democracy works best when it works for everyone. By voting to enshrine redistricting reform into the constitution, Virginians affirmed a simple but profound truth — that fair representation is the foundation of self-government.
As Governor Northam concluded on signing the amendment’s enabling legislation:
Today, we take a step toward restoring faith in our democracy. The people have spoken — and they have chosen fairness