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03/28/2024 04:07 AM
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20230&cosponId=40858
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House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: May 30, 2023 03:03 PM
From: Representative Jared G. Solomon and Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta
To: All House members
Subject: Redistricting Reform
 
In the near future, we will be introducing legislation to establish an independent commission, led by everyday Pennsylvanian citizens, where Pennsylvania residents can have full faith and confidence that our Commonwealth's Congressional lines are drawn fairly. Pennsylvanians deserve to vote in districts drawn in a transparent and impartial fashion and to be represented by elected officials who share their lived experience.

This legislation will establish an Independent Congressional Redistricting Commission consisting of commissioners registered with the Republican Party, Democratic Party and individuals in minority parties or unaffiliated voters. Pennsylvania citizens will apply to be on the Commission through an open application process and be chosen to best reflect the diversity of our Commonwealth including age, race, ethnicity, gender and geography of our state. Elected officials, Political Party officers and staff, political consultants and state or federal lobbyists will not be permitted to serve on this Commission. Applicants to the commission will also be required to disclose other potential conflicts of interest.

The Congressional Redistricting process will be open and transparent, with all business being conducted publicly, a prohibition on ex parte communications, and required public hearings. The Commission shall establish single-member congressional districts using the following criteria:
  • Districts shall comply with the United States Constitution and all applicable federal laws
  • Districts shall comply with the constitution of the Commonwealth
  • Districts shall be geographically contiguous
  • Districts shall respect the integrity of communities of interest to the extent practicable, including avoiding splitting county, township and city boundary splits to the extent possible
  • Districts may not be drawn to unduly favor or disfavor against a political party, candidate, or elected official
Maps will be presented to the public for public comment and must be approved by a majority of the Commissioners and must include approval from at least one member from the largest, second largest and individuals from neither the largest or second-largest parties approval.

Please join us as a co-sponsor of this legislation. We look forward to working with all of you on this very important issue.
 

 



Introduced as HB1473