Group takes aim at ‘goofy’ gerrymandered districts

MIDDLETOWN >> In 1812, The Boston Gazette coined the term “gerrymandering” when Massachusetts Gov. Elbridge Gerry signed a bill that benefitted his Democratic-Republican Party by redistricting a portion of the city in the shape of a mythological salamander.

Fair Districts PA is trying to end those contortions.

The non-partisan group is working to ensure the state’s redistricting process is transparent and impartial. Its goal is the adoption of an amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution replacing the current partisan system

with an independent citizens redistricting commission before the 2020 U.S. Census. Fair Districts PA Chair Carol Kuniholm, who also serves as Director of Election Reform for the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania, recently outlined the plan to about 100 Delaware County residents assembled at Penncrest High School.

“Pennsylvania is one of the most gerrymandered states in the nation, because lawmakers draw the borders of their own voting districts,” she said. “Politicians are picking their voters, not the other way around.”

According to the state constitution, districts for the same level office must have equal population, be geographically compact and continuous and cannot unnecessarily divide existing geopolitical entities. Gerrymandering, however, results in districts which do not reflect voter composition and have less competitive elections, negative impacts on small businesses and minority communities and improper school funding.

While some districts have maintained their integrity, Kuniholm used the 7th Congressional district as an example of one which has been dramatically altered. The district, which 60 years ago generally followed Delaware County’s borders, now includes most of the county and portions of Berks, Chester, Lancaster and Montgomery counties.

“It has been nicknamed ‘Goofy Kicking Donald Duck,’” she said. “It is often identified as one of the 10 most gerrymandered districts in the country.”

Pennsylvania is one of the states which, based on the upcoming census, will need to be redrawn due to reapportionment. Fair Districts PA is supporting bills in the state House and Senate which would have district lines drawn by a seven-member citizens commission. Amending the state constitution will require passage through two sessions of the Legislature and a public referendum.

Pennsylvanians can sup- port the effort in a number of ways, said Kuniholm, such as educating themselves, talking to others, joining Fair Districts PA, volunteering on the Delaware County team and encouraging individual municipalities and school districts to pass resolutions in favor of the bills.

Township resident Becky Barnard, a member of Fair Districts PA who has also led action groups for Indi- visible, realizes the importance of the organization’s effort.

“Gerrymandering affects the economy, school funding and small business,” she said. “This is an opportunity to make a change.”

For more information, visit www.fairdistrictspa.com.

SUBMITTED PHOTO A chart shows the evolution of Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional district.

LESLIE KROWCHENKO — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Hugh Roberts, co-chair of the Delaware County committee of Fair Districts PA, stands in front of a map showing Pennsylvania’s congressional districts.