Chairman McEwen and Members of the Commission,

Thank you for allowing me to provide some input on the proposed redistricting. It is my pleasure to appear before you this afternoon.

My interest in this matter is not only based on my position as Vice-President of Harrisburg City Council – a role that has the responsibility to speak on behalf of the constituents of this community – but also as a citizen and registered voter in this area myself.

The preliminary reapportionment plan adopted on October 31st, proposes to change the boundaries for most – if not all – of the legislative districts across our Commonwealth, and many are questioning whether such a radical change – like what has been proposed – is required.

Many have tossed out the “G” word: Gerrymandering – a term that will soon be celebrating its 200th birthday next year. It is a word that was invented in Massachusetts, when their state legislature redrew the boundaries of districts to favor then-Governor Elbridge Gerry’s party. One of the new districts created was so long and miss-shapen that it looked like a salamander – hence the name Gerry – mander.

Governor Gerry’s strategy was to encompass most of the state’s Federalists, allowing them to win in that district while his party took control of all the other districts in the state. The point this term makes is that when gerrymandering takes place, decisions are not made by the electorate, but by politicians manipulating the electorate.

As a resident of Harrisburg, my interest is in the legislative districts that will overlay Harrisburg and Dauphin County.

• The 103rd House District was relatively unchanged with the exception of the Borough of Paxtang which was moved from the 104th into the 103rd district.

• However, as for the Senate district that our Capitol will fall under, it has been moved from Senator Piccola’s 15th district into Senator Folmer’s 48th District. I urge the commission to keep the 15th district intact as it currently stands with the city of Harrisburg included.

• The dramatic change to the 15th Senatorial District as a whole is quite perplexing and makes little sense. The district will wind its way through primarily rural portions of 5 counties and encompass:

o two mountain ranges,
o three state parks
o and measure about 170 miles from one end of the horseshoe to the other.

The decennial task of reapportionment is not about reconfiguring legislative districts in order to provide shelter to incumbents. Your duty as Commissioners is not to grant immunity idols. This feels more like the tv series Survivor, Redistricting Edition. This is about redrawing maps to achieve a fair, open, unbiased, non-partisan and apolitical outcome leading to fair elections. Partisan gerrymandering only serves to subvert our democratic system.

Some of the gross excesses contained in the Preliminary Map will do nothing else but fuel cynicism and skepticism about the democratic process, anger toward legislators who are perceived of placing their own interests above all else, voter apathy leading to low voter turnout, and rebellion against incumbent legislators who have been part of the decision making process:

Allow me to suggest a few improvements. While some of these suggestions may require Constitutional amendments to be implemented, it is a much fairer solution, and would in fact allow the PEOPLE to have a more significant role in this process:

1. More hearings prior to the issuance of Preliminary Maps – There were only two hearings in September, one in Allentown and another in Pittsburgh. Essentially, the voice of citizens in the “T” region of Pennsylvania was ignored. The General Assembly should require more regional hearings such that all areas of Pennsylvania can be heard.

2. The Preliminary Maps were released on October 31 and shortly after, the members casted their votes. This is grossly inadequate. This portion of the redistricting process should be more transparent and open to public participation. Perhaps a 7 – 9 day period before the maps are voted on.

3. Finally, it is worth questioning whether the time has come for a nonpartisan reform in the area of legislative reapportionment. A delegation of responsibility from elected officials to appointed commission members may ensure that political motivations and self-interest do not influence the redistricting process. Other states have independent redistricting commissions that completely exclude elected officials from the process. Perhaps something for Pennsylvania to consider.

As I leave you, in the context of your final deliberations, I would ask you to reflect upon the following words from the League of Women Voters:

Representative democracy depends on the voters freely choosing their representatives rather than politicians choosing their voters.

Thank you very much, Commission members, for the opportunity to provide input.