From Fair Districts PA (http://www.fairdistrictspa.com):
What’s next?
With few session days left, we will NOT be supporting any other legislation this year. Instead, we’ll be talking with experts, gathering ideas from supporters and legislators and defining priorities so we have a plan ready, and possibly legislation drafted, when the next session starts in January.
There are many possible alternatives.
- All require research, discussion and a strategy for implementation. Here are some:
- Promote an independent citizens commission for congressional districts only (this wouldn’t require a constitutional amendment).
- Propose legislation to ensure transparency and public input for the processes currently in place, to constrain the current map-drawing process and to ensure maps drawn meet specific, enforceable standards.
- Use citizen mapping projects as a safeguard against distorted maps.
- Continue the effort to amend the PA Constitution to create a commission for both legislative and congressional districts, either to have in place for 2031 or looking for unexplored ways to have it in place by 2021.
Keep momentum growing:
Help us continue to educate the public:
- Invite a speaker to present at your local library, your local civic club or group, your church.
- Hold your own viewing party: Watch Justice and Gerrymandering with your faith community or friends, or view the shorter Voices of Fair Districts PA and talk about impacts on your own community.
- Introduce a resolution in your own community. Check our map to see if it’s already been done, then request materials here.
Help us grow our numbers and political muscle:
- Help us double the number of petition signers. Download a petition here or watch for petition posts on social media and share them with friends who might be interested. Consider canvassing your neighborhood or setting up a table at a community event.
- Make sure you’re part of an FDPA local group. If you’re on Facebook, Like and Follow your local group, or find one in a nearby county to Like and Follow. If you’re in an area that doesn’t have a local group, help us start one, or if you’re in an area with a group and you’d like to offer leadership support, email us: at info@fairdistrictspa.com.
- Check that we have your address so your local group can contact you and we can send action alerts specific to your legislator. Sign into your Action Network account and select “edit your profile”
- Donate! We are very dependent on small-dollar donations. Consider setting up a small recurring donation. Find mailing address here if you’d prefer to mail a check.
Help us make this an election issue:
- While Fair Districts PA as an organization won’t be supporting or opposing candidates, we strongly encourage individuals to actively support candidates who will work for reform and to oppose those who won’t. We’re updating our Know Before You Vote page to include third-party candidates. Watch for that and then share it.
- Attend town hall meetings or debates and ask candidates “How will you actively support redistricting reform?”
- Remember that gerrymandering is dependent on current voter registration and predictable turnout. One way we fight back is by registering voters and encouraging people to vote, even when they feel their votes don’t count. Contact your local League of Women Voters and offer to help with voter registration drives, or look for other groups doing voter registration. Encourage your own friends, family and social network to register and keep their registration up to date here.
We’ll have a regularly scheduled conference call next Thursday, August 2, at 7:00 PM. These calls are open to everyone interested in the ongoing effort. Call in: (641) 715-3580 / Access code: 594190. If you’d like to ask questions beforehand, you can email them to info@fairdistrictspa.com.
Thanks again for your part in this work.
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