Lehigh County Redistricting Map
I have a list of concerns regarding the Preliminary LRC redistricting map. I believe this map increases the number of Democratic seats and defends their incumbents. In addition, this map is designed to create another Democrat district out of Lehigh County. The map also breaks Allentown, cracked into three Democratic districts and the Republicans are packed into Western and Northern Lehigh County. Breaking up Allentown into three districts dilutes the Hispanic influence in any one district and violates the spirit of the Voting Rights Act. Ultimately cracking Allentown gives the Democrats another seat. Some of the unnecessary splits in townships and school districts which I observed and which I believe is against the State law are as follows: • Upper Macungie is divided in half and split between two House districts. • North Whitehall is divided into two House districts. • Salisbury is divided into three House districts. • Parkland School district is divided into four House districts. • East Penn School district is divided into three House districts. • Salisbury School District is divided into three House districts. In conclusion I believe the map drawn by Amanda Holt should be selected. This map provides adequate compromises and meets the intent of the Federal law for minority representation and Constitutional requirements.