Comment on Horsham township, as well as overall
I have been involved in the anti-gerrymandering movement and previously did some work with Fair Districts PA. I am still in favor of the independent redistricting commission, but am hopeful this present process will move us closer to a representative democracy, where politicians need to have policies that appeal to their local constituency rather than handpicking the voters they want. I introduced a resolution to Horsham Council in favor of redistricting reform, which passed. The present LRC model splits Horsham Township, for the state House map. It seems to me it would be best to keep local communities whole, as a general rule. Splitting of local communities is what led to the ridiculous districts we used to have. My local community may not be mainly of my political persuasion, but at least it is my local community, and any desired changes can be worked toward on the local level. Overall, for the state, I believe the people's maps on the Fair District's website generally do a better job than the LRC map. I have read some comments, and it does seem the LRC maps still have some of the vestiges of old-time gerrymandering. If we are a 55-45 state in either direction, we should come fairly close to that split in our house and Senate. I don't want to be Wisconsin (Republican gerrymandered) and I don't want to be Illinois (Democratic gerrymandered). Thank you for your efforts. Hopefully, we can make a fair and just framework for our representative democracy.