Nearly 20,000 Sign FDPA Redistricting Reform Petition on Election Day
Our nonpartisan solution to end gerrymandering in PA by establishing an independent citizens redistricting commission resonates with voters of all political stripes.
400 volunteers at 125 polls
More than 400 volunteers from across the state donned their raincoats, their Fair Districts PA t-shirt or button and hit the polls on election day. Despite the stormy weather, we had a presence at over 125 polling places across the state of Pennsylvania. We were literally in every corner of the state (Erie, Greene, Philadelphia and Wayne counties), as well as the “Centre” and numerous counties in between - from Adams to Butler to Clearfield.
Nearly 20,000 voters sign petitions
Volunteers, working in shifts from the 7 am opening of polls until the 8 pm closing, spent the day educating voters about the extreme gerrymandering that has tainted Pennsylvania’s congressional and state legislative districts for far too long. Many voters were aware of gerrymandering, but not of possible solutions. Some had never heard the word. Others thought the recent PA Supreme Court case solved the problem (it didn’t). After a short conversation, most voters were eager to support our nonpartisan solution.
Strong support for an independent citizens commission
Volunteers invited voters to take action by signing our petition urging their state legislators and other elected officials to replace our current hyper-partisan redistricting process with an impartial, independent citizens commission, with strict rules for fairness and transparency. Other states have done it, and it works. We also signed up voters to receive timely action alerts and news updates. We’re still counting, but it looks like our count will be around 20,000 new signatures.
Massive multi-partisan appeal
Our nonpartisan solution appeals to voters from all political backgrounds. Voters we spoke with were supportive no matter where we were, whether at a majority-Republican poll in a rural part of York County; a majority-Democrat poll in the heart of Philadelphia; or a “purple” poll in PA House Speaker Mike Turzai’s district in northern Allegheny County. Pennsylvanians from across the political spectrum understand that gerrymandering hurts all of us because it makes politicians less accountable.
It was a great day for democracy and for voters in Pennsylvania
Other highlights of the day included conversations with state legislators and other elected officials - those who vocally support us, as well as those who have reservations but are willing to talk.
There are over 7,000 polls in our state, so chances are you didn’t see a Fair Districts PA volunteer at yours. But you can still be part of the effort to end gerrymandering in Pennsylvania and make your vote count!