Redraw district lines fairly
Voting districts in Pennsylvania are designed by the Legislature, which is like the fox designing the henhouse. In self-interest, lawmakers have repeatedly remapped the state’s voting districts to maximize incumbent seat retention and the power of both political parties. Pennsylvania’s once geographically consolidated voting districts are now fragmented along party lines.
Pennsylvania voters are often denied a choice in candidates. The power and voice of the individual citizen in government is weakened. Legislators who choose the best interests of their constituents over their political party can be forced out of office by having their district remapped. Bipartisonship, compromise and majority rule are all casualties of the current system.
Concerned Pennsylvania voters are fighting to bring back fairness to Congressional and State elections. I urge voters to read about Fair Districts PA at their website, fairdistrictspa.com. The group’s goal is to make Pennsylvania’s redistricting process transparent, impartial and fair. Fair Districts PA is a project of the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania. Fair Districts PA is supporting Pennsylavania Senate Bill 22 which would replace the Legislature with a non-office-holding, independent commission to draw up congressional and state legislative maps. The time for change is now.
Heather Purnell
McMurray