SPRING 2017
AS AMERICANS, WE WANT OUR ELECTIONS TO BE FAIR,
OUR VOTES TO COUNT AND OUR VOICES TO BE HEARD
Congressional representatives, state legislators and many local officials are elected from
districts. Once each decade the national census recounts populations and district lines are
redrawn. In Pennsylvania, congressional and state legislative district boundaries are
determined by the state legislature.
This is a conflict of interest, a little like allowing the fox to guard the henhouse. As a result,
politicians are choosing their voters, rather than voters choosing their politicians.
Gerrymandering,
manipulating district lines
to benefit one party or
group, has been around for
centuries. Using new
mapping and data-mining
technologies, politicians
can divide communities
with increasing precision,
creating more and more
bizarrely shaped districts.
When politicians oversee the
process, lines are drawn to keep
voters together or to separate
them into different districts to
give some groups a voice and to
make sure others aren’t heard.
Dates added by Fair Districts PA, 2016
Lines are drawn to create safe
districts for incumbents, to
punish politicians who don’t play
by party rules and to ensure the
party in power maintains control
for the next ten years.
Research shows partisan redistricting
➢ rewards extreme positions rather than collaborative
solutions.
➢ leads to gridlock.
➢ shuts out new voices.
➢ makes accountable government almost impossible as
many legislators run unopposed.
The way the lines are drawn
determines who controls the
governing body, shapes legislative
priorities and behavior and
defines which bills get passed into
law and which never get a vote.
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Fair Districts
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PA
Most democratic nations use nonlegislative commissions to
determine legislative districts.
Election analysts agree that the best
solution to gerrymandered districts
is an independent commission with
strict guidelines for public input and
transparency and clear standards
for the final outcome.
In Pennsylvania, this would require
a constitutional amendment,
initiated and approved by two
successive legislative sessions, then
approved by voters in a public
referendum.
First passage in the 2017-2018
session would still allow time to
have a citizens commission in place
for the 2020 redistricting cycle.
Legislators from both parties and
both State Senate and House are
working together on bills to address
this. Ask your legislator to sign on as
cosponsor.
Fair Districts PA supports
Senate Bill 22 and House Bill 722.
SPRING 2017
www.FairDistrictsPA.com
Fair Districts PA is a nonpartisan, statewide coalition of individuals
and organizations who believe free and fair elections are the
foundation of our democracy. Our mission is to ensure the
redistricting process in Pennsylvania is transparent, impartial and
fair. We oppose gerrymandering in all its forms and support
amending the Pennsylvania Constitution to assign the redistricting
power to an independent citizens commission.
Priorities for Redistricting Reform
Assign the redistricting power to an independent
commission, of which neither the commissioners,
nor members of their immediate families, may be
government or political party officials.
Ensure the transparency of the process and
meaningful opportunities for public participation.
Conduct redistricting once each decade, following
the census, with a strict timeline for completion.
Address other causes of districting unfairness.
How Can You Help? Volunteer or Join Our Email List at www.FairDistrictsPA.com.
NETWORK: What community groups, commercial
organizations or municipal bodies do you know that have
been impacted by unfair districts and unaccountable
government? Think civic associations, chambers of
commerce, town councils, county commissioners, school
boards. Ask them to endorse Fair Districts PA and to pass
resolutions in support of redistricting reform.
EDUCATE: Become informed yourself, then share what you
know through social media, community meetings and letters
to the editor. Facebook and Twitter are great avenues to
keep conversation going and share information with others
interested in democracy that works for all, not just a few.
ADVOCATE: Ask your legislators to support redistricting
reform bills SB 22 and HB 722 and encourage others to do
the same. Ask your local town council, school board or
county commissioners to pass a resolution in support of a
constitutional amendment. Attend legislative hearings and
town hall meetings.
DONATE: Even a small contribution can help get the word
out. Tax-deductible contributions can be sent to Fair
Districts PA-Education, 226 Forster St., Harrisburg, PA.
.17102.
There Is an Historic
Window of Opportunity
To End Gerrymandering
In Pennsylvania
Before the 2020 Census.
Act now by joining a local group
where you live, or start one of
your own. Fair Districts PA
supports a growing network of
activists across the state with
guidelines for organizing, how to
contact legislators, talking
points, sample letters and more.
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