Many voters heading to the polls this Nov. 4 to determine Virginia's next General Assembly will not be faced with a particularly difficult decision.
Only one-third of the candidates are facing opposition.
"Within the state we have only a dozen to 20 competitive races," Politics Prof. Larry J. Sabato said. "There is no election."
Sabato attributed the small number of opposing candidates to a combination of an exceptionally effective redistricting by the Republicans in 2000 and a poor organizational job by the Democrats.
Laura Bland, communications director for the Democratic Party of Virginia, said her party had difficulty recruiting candidates because the redistricting process eliminated many competitive districts.
"Republicans controlled the redistricting process in 2000 for the first time," Bland said. "They created them to their advantage."
Bland said while Republicans control both the Virginia House of Delegates and the State Senate, the Democratic Party hopes to hold its own.
Shawn Smith, communications director for the Republican Party of Virginia, attributed the Democrats' difficulties to an increasingly dominant Republican party.
"There will be little impact on our Republican majorities in this election," he said.
Sabato warned against vilifying either party and noted that the Democrats utilized redistricting to their advantage in 1990.
"There are no saints," he said. "Both parties are equally guilty."
Despite the general apathy, there are several contested races in the Commonwealth, such as those in the 17th and 52nd districts.
Craig Bieber, campaign manager for Edward Houck, the Democratic state senator running for reelection in the 17th district, said the issues in his campaign, such as public education, health care and managing growth, tend to be localized and pertain mainly to Louisa County.
Houck's opponent is Robert G. Stuber.
John A. "Jack" Rollison, III, R-Prince William, lost the June primary for the House of Delegates seat he has held for the past 16 years to fellow Republican Jeff M. Frederick. Democrat Charles F. Taylor is running against Frederick in the general election. Both are newcomers to Commonwealth politics.
Delegate Mitch Van Yahres, D-Charlottesville, is running unopposed to maintain his seat. He said he does not think the redistricting is fair and is alarmed at the number of candidates running unopposed.
Because of this, Van Yahres has attempted to get people in the Charlottesville area involved in the Democratic Party at a grass-roots level.
"We are fighting for the people who cannot take care of themselves: The sick, the elderly, children and all the rest who are not being taken care of," he said.
Student political organizations at the University have contributed support to many local campaigns.
University Democrats President Ian Amelkin said he expects the party will do well in the upcoming election.
Specifically, Amelkin said he anticipates candidates Hunter McGuire, 56th district, Toddy Puller, 36th district, and Steve Shannon, 35th district, will gain seats in the General Assembly due to the popularity of democratic Gov. Mark R. Warner.
He speculated the Republican majority will narrow as a result of the election.
"The 2003 election will be an indicator ... that Democrats are taking back the state," he said.
Dick Black, a member of the College Republicans, disagreed.
"There's nothing to invigorate people for change in the Commonwealth," he said. "Nothing's gotten people worked up."
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