About
Fair Districts PA is a nonpartisan, statewide coalition of organizations and individuals. We are working to fix legislative rules, create fair districts and map out a fair redistricting process that will help re-establish an accountable government that represents the people of Pennsylvania — not partisan politicians or outside interests.
Our Goal: Not Red, Not Blue, Just Fair.
We’re a group of Pennsylvanians from all walks of life, united by the conviction that free and fair elections are the foundation of our democracy. We believe Pennsylvania needs to reform its redistricting rules to reflect communities more accurately and to ensure that voters are picking their politicians, not politicians picking their voters.
To accomplish this, we hold informational events, organize outreach to lawmakers and the media, and help the public take action. FDPA is staffed and led by volunteers who bring a wealth of experience, expertise and varying political perspectives. Volunteers are organized into local groups and statewide working teams, with trained speakers, advocacy advisors, and active teams working on outreach, administration, communication and research.
Who we are
Fair Districts PA was founded in January 2016 by representatives from the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania, Common Cause Pennsylvania, Committee of Seventy, Pennsylvania Council of Churches, and others concerned about accountable government. Since then FPDA has grown into a statewide grassroots movement with volunteers and supporters in every legislative district in the commonwealth. New endorsing organizations and volunteers are always welcome.
FDPA is a fiscal project of the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania, a nonpartisan political organization which encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. FDPA receives no funding from political action committees (PACs) or political parties, and is endorsed by a wide range of local and statewide organizations. FDPA’s work is powered by volunteers and contributions from supporters across PA, with most funding given online through small dollar donations.
Fair Districts PA leads League involvement in the League of Women Voters of the United State People Powered Fair Maps campaign, a national redistricting program focused on creating fair political maps nationwide.
Fair Districts PA has grown quickly from a handful of volunteers to a network of local groups, regional support teams, active working groups and trained speakers reaching audiences large and small in every corner of the state. FDPA volunteers come from across the state and bring a wealth of experience, expertise, and varying political perspectives.
Who funds Fair Districts PA?
The major source of funding to date has been small-dollar donations, received online or as contributions at public events, with a handful of much larger donations from concerned Pennsylvania supporters. FDPA receives no funding from political action committees (PACs) or political parties. The only significant out-of- state funding to date has been a $25,000 grant from the Ben and Jerry’s Employee Foundation. The budget for the first year of operation, 2016, was about $12,000. In 2017 it was $87,000; in 2018 $120,000. Generous donations from PA supporters, plus the Ben and Jerry’s grant and increased small-dollar donations, brought total income in 2019 to around $500,000, with a similar income in 2020. FDPA income is reported as part of LWVPA and LWVPA-Citizen Education Fund 990s and lobby disclosure forms. With no salaries or office overhead, donations go far toward printing of material, venue rental and strategically placed ads. FDPA has not and will not accept contributions from partisan sources.
Our guiding principles
Fair districts must:
- Adhere to all Constitution and Voting Rights Act requirements.
- Make all districts as equal in population as possible within an established minimal range of deviation.
- Respect city and county subdivisions, natural geographic features, and communities of interest.
- Encourage geographical compactness.
- Not be drawn for the purpose of favoring or discriminating against a political party or candidate.
Redistricting reform should:
- Assign the redistricting power to an independent commission, of which neither the commissioners, nor members of their immediate families, may be government or political party officials.
- Ensure the transparency of the process and meaningful opportunities for public participation.
- Establish strict timelines for redistricting after each U.S. Census.
- Address other causes of redistricting unfairness.