This column was submitted to LebTown. Read our submission policy here.
As volunteers with Fair Districts PA, we applaud Governor Josh Shapiro for speaking plainly and boldly against gerrymandering—no matter who does it or why.
Here’s the bigger picture: Where gerrymandering thrives, so do dark money, dirty tricks, and intimidation from out-of-state power brokers. Look no further than Texas.
Pennsylvania – America’s largest “purple” state in Electoral College votes – is an irresistible target for such meddling. Unless the General Assembly acts now, our political leaders will remain vulnerable to outside influence in future redistricting cycles. The solution is simple and lasting: a Constitutional amendment to ban gerrymandering. It would take map-drawing out of the hands of lawmakers. This would make them less tempting to outsiders.
That’s why we call on Lebanon County’s legislators – Sen. Chris Gebhard, Rep. Russ Diamond, Rep. Tom Jones, and Rep. John Schlegel – to hold hearings, move HB 31 and SB 131 out of committee, and bring them to a floor vote. These identical “mirror” bills would create an independent citizen redistricting commission to draw fair, impartial maps—so voters choose their politicians, not the other way around.
Fair maps aren’t about left or right. They’re about keeping our representatives focused on us. And about keeping Pennsylvania for Pennsylvanians.
Susan O. Wood lives in Mt. Gretna. Duncan MacLean lives in South Lebanon Township. Both are volunteers with Fair Districts PA.
