Pennsylvania Bill for a Redistricting Commission Advances

On May 22, the Pennsylvania Senate State Government Committee unanimously passed SB 22. It sets up a redistricting commission that would draw districts both for the legislature and U.S. House. The commission would have eleven members. The Governor would choose three members who could not be either Democrats or Republicans. The other eight would be chosen by legislative leaders. The bill is a state constitutional amendment, so if it passes the legislature, then the voters would vote on the idea.


Comments

Pennsylvania Bill for a Redistricting Commission Advances — 4 Comments

  1. Demo Rep – I can’t see how this is a scheme from Hell. It is far better than what redistricting methods now exist in most states. I particularly like that it provides for more than one member who is neither Democan or Repulicrat. Reform does not happen overnight. It is and has to be incremental.

  2. THE VARIOUS GERRYMANDER COMMISSION SCHEMES ARE VARIANTS OF THE NOW INFAMOUS CA GERRYMANDER COMMISSION.

    THE 3 GOV HACKS WILL BE PUBLIC STOOGES.

    AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN —

    1/2 OR LESS VOTES X 1/2 GERRYMANDER DISTRICTS = 1/4 OR LESS CONTROL.

    MUCH, MUCH WORSE PRIMARY MATH —

    REAL MINORITY RULE – 5-15 PERCENT.

    SORRY — *DRASTIC* REMEDIES FOR ***** TOTAL EVIL ***** —

    1776- DOI — LAST PARA.

    1865- 13 AMDT

    PR AND APPV

  3. The commission is similar to that in California, in that individual citizens apply to the SOS to be on the commission and screened.

    The appointed members are chosen from this screened list of applicants by the governor (3 non-Demo Reps) and the House and Senate majority and minority leaders, who will presumably choose Ds and Rs. (In California, the process is inverted – in that the legislative leaders may strike individuals and the panel is partially chosen by lot, but completed by the initial members.

    Pennsylvania has a reapportionment commission for legislative apportionment. It is comprised of the four legislative leaders and a chair chosen by them or the supreme court.

    The proposed amendment would expand its composition to 11 citizens, 4 D, 4 R, 3 O, and require a 7 member majority, and at least 2 D, 2 R, and 2 O to approve a plan. It would also expand its authority to congressional redistricting.

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