DISTRICTS

Section 3.04. Legislative Districts.

The State shall be divided by law into districts for the election
of members of the Senate. Each senate district shall be sub-
divided into three districts for the election of members of the
House of Delegates. The population represented by each senator
shall be substantially equal, as shall the population represented
by each delegate. Each district shall consist of adjoining territory
and be compact in form. Due regard shall be given to natural
boundaries and the boundaries of political subdivisions. Boun-
daries of districts shall be redrawn according to these standards
prior to the general election in 1982 and in every tenth year
thereafter.

Section 3.05. Redistricting Commission.

Six months before the first day of the regular session of the
General Assembly in the year in which redistricting is to be effec-
tive, the presiding officer and the minority leader of each house
shall each appoint two persons to a commission on legislative
redistricting. The governor shall appoint an additional member
who shall serve as chairman of the commission. Any vacancy on
the commission shall be filled by the appointing authority. The
commission shall adopt a redistricting plan only by a majority
vote of all its members. No member of the commission shall hold
a popularly elected office in the State.

Section 3.06. Legislative Redistricting Procedure.

The commission on legislative redistricting shall submit a plan
to the governor, who shall transmit it to the General Assembly
by the first day of the regular session in the year in which redis-
tricting is to be effective. If any other plan has not been pre-
scribed by law within seventy days after the transmission of the
commission plan to the General Assembly, then the commission
plan shall become law. The Court of Appeals shall have original
jurisdiction, upon petition of any qualified voter, to review the
new redistricting law and the commission plan if it has not

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