End Gerrymandering
In response to the current redistricting map under consideration, this map leaves in question the intent of those proposing it. If keeping Pennsylvania unfairly gerrymandered is the goal this map does just that. For example, the portions of the City of Allentown that have been carved off are a majority minority section of Allentown meaning that those residents have no voice in choosing their state senator. Also, 20% of the Allentown School District is being carved out and divided between two senate districts. These and other proposed divisions, deny minority populations a voice in government. · Consequently, if the goal is to create a district with the strongest VRA argument, the City of Allentown and its diverse population should remain in one district Furthermore, the geographic center of the 16th District is the City of Allentown, which provides very convenient access for the most racially diverse and economically disadvantaged areas of Lehigh County. Whereas the PROPOSED new 16th has a geographic center in rural Berks County. If the goal is for districts to have a diverse urban core with surrounding suburbs that are becoming increasingly diverse, one district must be centered in the City of Allentown with its regional suburbs and one must be centered in the City of Bethlehem with its regional suburbs