Chester Co Majority Minority District Lost
The proposed new legislative districts do address years of gerrymandering which have thwarted the democratic process by creating districts that favor one party over the other. In Chester County, most of the lines are fair and make sense. I am concerned about one particular district, the 74th. One of the goals of the redistricting is to create majority minority areas which will allow our constituents of color to elect representatives that truly represent them and their concerns. The 74th Legislative District, under the current district lines, accomplished that goal. The representative from this district is the only Chester County State Representative who is a person of color. The new Legislative District lines drastically change the demographics of voters within the 74th. District. Current 74th District 60.17% White Voters 23.09% Black Voters 17.98% Other Voters New 74th District 66.55% White Voters 20.32% Black Voters 14.06% Other Voters The shift in demographics is striking, an increase in white voters and a decrease in the numbers of voters who represent people of color. In fact, the new lines remove Caln Township where people of color vote and include Honeybrook Township that is predominantly white and conservative. Caln Township is split to accomplish this, thus dividing a school district. I urge the commission to reconsider the lines drawn for the 74th Legislative District. It is imperative that we support minority representation within Chester County. The new district lines do not accomplish this goal. Submitted by: Charlotte Valyo, Chair Chester County Democratic Committee