Lehigh Valley redistricting map revised

View Map on Dave's Redistricting (https://davesredistricting.org/maps#viewmap::01c1044c-2940-414f-a8c8-fcec75312143)

I'm submitting this map as a potential redistricting compromise for the LRC. While an independent redistricting commission would draw maps without any regard for partisan benefit or incumbency, I recognize that is unlikely to happen given the current status of the redistricting process. The ideal map would be the People's Map submitted by Fair Districts or something similar. That should be the LRC's first priority, not splitting any municipalities such as Allentown or Bethlehem. First, and foremost the best map would be Allentown and Bethlehem in two separate state senate districts with neither of them split. That being said this map submitted represents something I believe is politically pragmatic and sensible that reflects the realities of political redistricting. It addresses some of my comments left below and feelings about the general issues with the way the Lehigh Valley is currently redistricted. It minimizes splits in Allentown, improves minority representation in the 14th Senate District and ensures the Lehigh Valley real representation. First, West Bethlehem while a part of Lehigh County should remain a part of the 18th Senate District currently lead by Senator Lisa Boscola. This has historically been the norm for the 18th Senate District. Furthermore, the Lehigh County portion of Bethlehem is better represented by a Northampton County senator, because the majority of the City of Bethlehem is in the Northampton County. West Bethlehem should be removed from the 14th Senate District and returned to the 18th Senate District. Second, I recognize that incumbency has an impact on the redistricting process, whether we like it or not. I ask the commission to minimize the districts that are split from Allentown. Currently, Allentown is losing almost a third of its residents to the 18th Senate District with 14 total precincts being removed from the City of Allentown. This is entirely unacceptable and will dilute not only Allentown voters influence but deny many residents real and effective representation. The current redistricting plan is not the most responsible way to deal with incumbency and minimize Allentown splits. I strongly encourage the Legislative Redistricting Commission to carve a path through the South Side of the Allentown. This would reduce the total number of Allentown precincts lost. Three, Lehigh County deserves a more Lehigh County centric map. At present, too much of Lehigh County is omitted from the 14th Senate District. Lehigh County is the 10th largest county in the state of Pennsylvania. Yet the vast majority of it would be drawn into Berks County to create the 18th Senate District. This an injustice to Lehigh County voters. I demand that more Lehigh County municipalities be added to the 14th Senate District. This could be achieved by moving north and including South Whitehall and North Whitehall Townships. This would be a sensible solution considering that Whitehall Township is a part of the 14th District. We should be keeping communities together and making a contiguous district that respects South Whitehall. Lehigh County residents will not tolerate or stand for the current treatment of the county or the Lehigh Valley. We deserve better. The Legislative Redistricting Commission must immediately correct this mistake. The current maps further undermine trust in the democratic process and threaten to further degrade optimism about the importance of public input. The 14th Senate District and 18th Senate District must be fixed in order to ensure that democracy will thrive in the Lehigh Valley and the voices of Lehigh County residents will be respected.

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