Population shifts must be reflected in new maps
These comments are with regard to the State House Maps and Legislative Reapportionment Commission. According to data released by the US Census as of August 2021 over 40 counties in Pennsylvania lost population over the last decade. However, a number of counties grew as well. The Census data was summarized in this article: https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2021/08/pa-counties-lost-gained-population-2020-chart/ Here are a few of the counties that gained population during the last decade: Montgomery: +7.1%; Philadelphia: +5.1%; Chester: + 7.1%; Lehigh: 7.2%; Cumberland + 10.2% And here are some counties that lost significant population: Susquehanna County -11.4%; Cameron County -10.6%; Forest County -9.6%; Sullivan County -9.1%; Venango County -8.2% These population changes and shifts must be reflected in redistricting. Counties that gained population deserve more seats so their residents have fair representation. Each district should contain roughly the same number of people. The proposed House Maps are a step in the right direction for a more accurate and fair distribution of seats with regards to population. The new House maps show greater compactness, less county splitting, and reflect changes in the state's population over the last 10 years. The Legislature should play no role in drawing legislative districts or choosing their own voters. The latest attempt by Republican leadership through House Bill 2207 to choose their voters and insert themselves into the redistricting process only reinforces why legislators should not be part of this process. The electorate of Pennsylvania has suffered through decades of extreme gerrymandering with regards to the state legislature map. The map proposed by the Legislative Reapportionment Commission is a step in the right direction to fixing this injustice. Finally, these maps also make improvements towards ending the unfair practice of prison gerrymandering. Incarcerated individuals should be counted in their home districts.