Courts might finally slay the gerrymandering monster

Legalized gambling is not Pennsylvania’s only calling card.

Turns out we’re also the poster child for the political ploy called “gerrymandering.”

Yeah, it’s a funny word. But there is nothing funny about the result.

“Gerrymandering” is what happens when politics overtakes democracy. The result could not be more fundamentally detrimental to democracy – in too many instances the public’s voice – their vote – gets neutralized.

Looking for someone to blame? Try Massachusetts Gov. Elbridge Gerry, the father of “gerrymandering.” Back in 1812 Gerry signed a bill that benefitted his Democratic-Republican Party by redistricting a portion of the city in the shape of a mythological salamander.

Gerry and his pals would no doubt be impressed at how their “salamander” has evolved. Don’t believe it? Take a gander at the shape of the 7th Congressional District. It is the poster boy for redistricting ills.

Every 10 years, congressional districts are reshaped to take into account the differences in the latest census. The next change will reflect the 2020 census changes.

It is supposed to create more “representative” congressional districts, reflective of shifts in population. Too often it is tainted by blatant political interests, and what it becomes “representative” of is the interest of those in power. That’s because the party in power gets to control the process.

This is not a specifically Democratic or Republican trait. Both sides do it, because that is the way the game has always been played. The result? All you have to do is look at the bizarrely contorted shape of the 7th District. This seat, currently held by Republican Rep. Pat Meehan, used to for the most part adhere to the borders of Delaware County. Not any more Due to the wonders of “gerrymandering,” Meehan now sees his domain stretch into no less than five suburban counties. Meehan now “represents” some folks in Chester County, along with a few in Montgomery County. And let’s not forget the good people out in the hinterlands of Berks and Lancaster counties. Yep, Pat Meehan is their congressman, too.

The 7th District at one time used to be considered a toss-up when it adhered to its original border. That’s when Republican Curt Weldon won 10 elections here, before being upended by Democrat Joe Sestak. When Sestak left the seat to run for the U.S. Senate, it fell back into the GOP’s hands, with Meehan winning. Now, even with the expected recent backlash against Donald Trump at the polls not withstanding, “gerrymandering” assures that this will be a very tough battle for any Democrat to unseat Meehan. The Delco Republican has cruised to three straight general election wins, routinely gathering 60 percent of the vote.

Don’t blame Meehan. Blame the process. State legislators control the redistricting process. Back in 2011, with Republicans in control of the House, Senate and governor’s mansion in Harrisburg, they bent the boundaries in their favor. Democrats and others cried foul over what they blasted as an obvious “gerrymander.”

The twisted shape of the 7th District prompted some to refer to it as “Goofy kicking Donald Duck.”

Funny, huh? Unless you happen to live in the 7th District and are casting a ballot. Then your constitutional right – and fundamental franchise – may be negated by this callous political calculation.

Luckily, there may finally be help on the way.

At both the state and federal level, this redistricting process is under attack.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court recently ordered a legal challenge to the way the congressional districts were redrawn by Republicans six years ago – and which resulted in today’s convoluted shape of the 7th District – to proceed to court. It’s one of two suits actually being pushed in Pennsylvania courts. Both claim the 2011 redistricting process was tainted by a partisan bent intended to tilt the playing field in favor of Republicans.

At the federal level, a case in Wisconsin challenging the map that was also redrawn seemingly to favor Republicans is headed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

In Pennsylvania, Republican leaders in the Senate and House sought the delay in the state case, saying the U.S. Supreme Court case should be decided first.

The easiest and fastest way out of this quagmire is pretty apparent to lots of groups. That would be to get this out of the hands of politicians – who have a vested interest in the outcome – as quickly as possible.

In Pennsylvania, groups such as Fair Districts PA have been beating the drums for change for years. They have been joined by a coalition of folks such as the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania, the Committee of Seventy, the Pennsylvania Council of Churches and more than 20 other organizations.

The idea is to have both lawmakers and voters support a statewide referendum that would approve a constitutional amendment to extract redistricting from the clutches of politicians and place it in the realm of a non-partisan commission.

That’s easier said than done. A constitutional amendment needs to be approved in consecutive legislative sessions.

Anyone think that’s doable in Harrisburg? Do you pay any attention to the budget talks in this state?

Right now the bills pushing this change continue to be mired in committees, no doubt where those in power want them to remain.

Maybe the courts can do what our elected leaders are so reluctant to do.

Insure the basic foundation of our democracy. That every vote counts. Even those in the goofiest district around, the 7th Congressional District.