Press Conference Announcing New Redistricting Reform Bills
On January 28, Senator Tim Kearney and Representatives Steve Samuelson and Mark Gillen announced co-sponsor memos for new redistricting reform legislation to amend the PA constitution, creating an Independent Redistricting Commission.
They were joined at a press conference in the Capitol Rotunda by about 40 Fair Districts PA supporters and one additional senate co-sponsor, Senator Carolyn Comitta. Speakers included the prime sponsors, as well as
- Philip Hensley-Robin, Executive Director, Common Cause Pennsylvania
- Amy Widestrom. Executive Director, League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania
- Lauren Cristella, President and CEO, Committee of Seventy
- Carol Kuniholm, Chair, Fair Districts PA
Senate Bill 131 and House Bill 31 reflect input from PA legislators, advocates and national redistricting experts, incorporating lessons learned from the 2021 redistricting cycle. As Senator Kearney said:
This legislation prioritizes citizens over politicians, and it prioritizes participatory democracy over back room dealing. The legislation represents the best of our democracy and puts our noble ideals over our worst instincts… . Our parties need to come together after too many tumultuous years of hyperpartisan politics and realize that an independent, citizen-driven and more scientific redistricting process will cut the dysfunction. We need to put our country, our state, and our citizens over ourselves.
Both Senator Kearney and Representative Samuelson described aspects of the bill, including genuine independence, prioritized criteria and requirements for public hearings.
Rep. Samuelson said:
We believe the process that’s set forward in House Bill 31 and Senate Bill 131 is a truly transparent process to have an independent commission for the citizens of Pennsylvania, for the communities of Pennsylvania, and to benefit our state for decades to come.
Representative Gillen described his own experience with district maps, sharing a copy of the former Congressional District 7, the district nicknamed Goofy Kicking Donald. Rep. Gillen said “I just call it “goofy.” He explained that maps shouldn’t be drawn to favor any person: “I don’t want to be involved in my own map… . I”m not interested in politicians favoring other politicians. Or DISFAVORING other politicians.”
This is the first step in a multiyear effort to ensure an Independent Redistricting Commission before new maps are drawn in 2031. PA is one of 24 states that don’t allow citizen initiative and referendum, one of just ten states that require constitutional amendments to pass through two consecutive legislative sessions before going on the ballot for a public vote, and among just four of those that have two-year legislative sessions. In both sessions, constitutional amendments must be passed three months before the next general election.
FDPA Chair Carol Kuniholm reminded listeners:
No one knows who will have the final say in determining Pennsylvania’s voting districts from 2031 and beyond if this reform is not enacted soon.What we DO know is that when one party uses redistricting to hold control, the partisan divide grows deeper, and voters’ distrust increases. We also know that there’s no guarantee, for either party, that they won’t be shut out completely for the following decade if reform isn’t passed soon.
Before the press conference, dozens of FDPA volunteers traveled through the Capitol complex, visiting every legislative office to distribute a folder containing a summary of the bill, a comparison of the current and proposed processes, and a new 12-page report explaining the need for an independent commission. Those documents are available for review or download here:
- 12-page Report: Why PA needs an independent redistricting commission
- Summary of House Bill 31 and Senate Bill 131
- PA Redistricting Current vs Proposed
- Senate Bill 131 co-sponsor memo
- House Bill 31 co-sponsor memo
Contact your legislators and say thank you (some have already co-sponsored) or ask them for their support.