Pennsylvania Republicans may want to rethink their reluctance to support redistricting reform \u2014 and quickly, too. There are currently bills in the state House (House Bill 31) and the state Senate (Senate Bill 131) proposing a state constitutional amendment to establish an independent redistricting commission.<\/p>\n
The bills must pass in the General Assembly this session and then in the 2027-2028 session before going to a referendum for the people to decide.<\/p>\n
Three-quarters of voters in Pennsylvania already appear to be on board with an independent commission handling redistricting, according to Franklin & Marshall polling conducted shortly before the last redistricting in 2021.<\/p>\n
Republican legislators seem unaware that if the vote goes against them in 2026 and 2028, there aren\u2019t sufficient guardrails in current law to prevent an enduring partisan gerrymander after the 2031 redistricting.<\/p>\n
In Pennsylvania, a five-member commission determines the maps: the Senate and House Republican leaders, the Senate and House Democratic leaders, and a fifth member who is a non\u2011legislator mutually agreed upon by the leaders. If the leaders of each chamber can\u2019t agree on either the chair or the maps, the decision is thrown to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. Republicans simply must begin to pull themselves together and ensure that the least-partisan process is in place before the next redistricting, for their own protection.<\/p>\n
That means HB 31 and SB 131 must pass this session \u2014 practically speaking, before July 4 \u2014 or the bills are dead and the push for a state constitutional amendment is finished. There would be nothing prohibiting a partisan gerrymander after 2031.<\/p>\n
Patricia Rooney<\/p>\n
Lancaster<\/p>\n
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