On a day that is a holiday for many United States citizens, Republicans in the Commonwealth of Virginia redrew state senate district lines Monday afternoon.

The Virginia Senate is tied at 20-20. This move — redrawing district lines approved in 2011 (pdf) — is designed to tilt the numbers to 21 Republican-19 Democratic. If signed by Republican Governor Bob McDonnell, the new boundaries would take effect in the 2015 senate election.

AP characterized the move as a surreptitious redraft. Blue Virginia is keeping a tally of news reports.

Virginia is yet another example of why redistricting should be managed by an independent commission operating transparently and with public input.

virginia map via shutterstock.com