I recently participated as a panelist in a bipartisan forum on redistricting sponsored by the Chester County League of Women Voters and the American Association of University Women, West Chester/Chester County Branch. Other panelists included Representative Carole Rubley (R-Chester/Montgomery), Representative Curt Schroder (R-Chester), Martin Indars, representing State Senator Andy Dinniman (D-Chester/Montgomery), Susan Fields (LWVCC), and Charlotte Glauser (LWVPA).

Every ten years after the Federal Census is taken, the district lines for the General Assembly, as well as the U.S. Congressional districts, are redrawn according to population changes. Currently, the process for redistricting involves bringing together one member in leadership from each party and both chambers, plus one who is appointed as a non-elected, nonpartisan chair. Then they put their heads together and carve up the map of PA according to their party’s wishes to protect incumbents or to get rid of members who fell out of favor with leadership. [What is that shape? Mouseover for answer.]

Why should you care? Because your ability to choose your representative is being negated by that small group of insiders. And if nothing is done about the process by June 23, 2008, we’ll have to wait another 10 years before we have another opportunity. The League, AAUW, and Common Cause PA, among others, are campaigning hard to change that process. We need the electorate to join that effort to ensure that the process is transparent and that your voices are heard.

Please visit http://www.palwv.org/issues/2008Redistricting.html to learn more.