From Fair Districts PA (http://www.fairdistrictspa.com):
The PA Legislature is scheduled to be in session for just a few weeks before the November election, beginning as early as August 31. We have run out of time for an independent redistricting commission, but most reform experts agree there are other ways to ensure fairly drawn districts. House Bill 2638 and Senate Bill 1242, the Legislative and Congressional Redistricting Act (LACRA), represent a strong addition to the national conversation about how to safeguard the redistricting process.
We were not able to alter the WHO of the Pennsylvania redistricting. Therefore, the HOW (process) needs to be much more transparent, with all data made available and explicit opportunities for public engagement and submission of maps.
The WHAT (the maps themselves) should be held to enforceable criteria that ensure constitutional requirements are met, with opportunity for public review of map metrics before final approval.
Find a new infographic and summary of LACRA on our updated Solution page, along with links to documents prepared by the Princeton Gerrymandering Project explaining some key concepts in the bills.
We’ll be holding a town hall meeting in early September with FDPA legislative director Pat Beaty and members of the Princeton Gerrymandering Project team to discuss LACRA and answer questions about the bill. Watch for details.
Our hope is that LACRA will become model legislation for states like ours that with no avenue through citizen initiative to put an independent commission in place.
Take Action
It’s time to start explaining LACRA to legislators and asking them to co-sponsor and support the bills.
- Would you be willing to be part of a Zoom meeting with your legislator? We’ll provide materials, training and connection with a local team. Sign up here.
- Would you be willing to write postcards and share some with your neighbors? Download and print your own or order new LACRA cards here (look for the Order Form halfway down the page). The goal will be to send them to your own legislators if they haven’t co-sponsored, and to committee chairs and majority leaders. We’ll email instructions and addresses after you order postcards.
- Could you write a letter to the editor or to your own legislators, expressing your sadness that an independent commission is no longer possible and explaining how important LACRA safeguards will be in 2021? Find letter-to-the-editor submission instructions here and legislator contact info here. (Check the op-eds in In the News below for ideas.)
Here’s a list of legislators who have already sponsored the bills:
House:
- 226 Hennessey, Tim
- 9 Schroeder, Meghan
- 30 Mizgorski, Lori
- 42 Miller, Dan L.
- 74 Williams, Dan
- 77 Conklin, Scott
- 133 McNeill, Jeanne
- 135 Samuelson, Steve
- 143 Ullman, Wendy
- 146 Ciresi, Joseph
- 151 Stephens, Todd
- 156 Comitta, Carolyn
- 157 Shusterman, Melissa
- 158 Sappey, Christina
- 160 Barrar, Stephen
- 178 Thomas, Wendi
- 81 Irvin, Rich
Senate:
- 9 Tom Kilion
- 13 Martin, Scott
- 18 Boscola, Lisa M.
- 19 Dinniman, Andy
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