Pennsylvania’s current congressional district map must be redrawn before the state primary election in May.
This comes as the Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional after the League of Women Voters filed a lawsuit claiming the district lines were gerrymandered and drawn so the GOP has an advantage of registered republicans in as many districts as possible. Currently, republicans control 13 of the 18 districts in Pennsylvania.
Now the lines have to be rearranged.
“Many people refer to the current movement as redistricting,” Jennifer Nicholas, from the Centre County League of Women Voters, said. “I like to refer to it as fair districting because what we want ultimately is for every election to be a fair election.”
The new districts have to be completed in a little more than two weeks and could mean the congressperson in your area might change.
It also brings uncertainty for people running in upcoming elections.
“I saw some comments for people running for office and they’re up in arms asking ‘what are we going to do? Who are we going to be running with?’ And the answer is, we don’t know.” Debbie Trudeau, from Fair Districts Centre County, said.
While voters wait to see how the new lines are going to be drawn, many are hopeful it will earn back people’s trust.
“This is a very important decision because we want to give power back to the people,” Nicholas said. “We want voters to decide the outcome of an election and not elected officials.”
Lawmakers have until February 9th to redraw the map. It then goes to Governor Tom Wolf for approval by February 15th.
If nothing is decided, the court will then be responsible.