Comments on Pennsylvania Redistricting
I am responding to the proposed redistricting maps made by the Legislative Reapportionment Commission. Thank you for this opportunity to provide input in this important process. Firstly, in reviewing the 2022 proposed state map, compared to the existing map from 2012, significant changes have been made across the entire state. While the overarching reason for these changes are the results of the 2020 census, there is little justification provided for why the boundaries of districts have been changed, why some cities have been split (e.g.., Lancaster), districts with growing populations will, in fact, have reductions in the number of people represented by a given representative (as much as 800+ people in district 156), non-contiguous boundaries (District 158), split wards (too numerous to mention). One has to strongly question why these changes were made and most importantly why they are necessary. Additionally, the proposed changes do not follow the Pennsylvania Constitution regarding legislative districts, i.e., "Unless absolutely necessary, no county, city, incorporated town, borough, township or ward shall be divided in forming either a senatorial or representative district." Therefore, this proposal must be rejected and the Commission is strongly encouraged to either justify all changes beyond that presently provided and explain why the present map (i.e., 2012) is not appropriate for continued districting in the Commonwealth.