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House Bill 196 has dangerously re-emerged in the Senate, and was voted out of the Senate State Government Committee in a party-line vote today. Common Cause Pennsylvania continues to actively oppose the bill, which would establish judicial districts here in the Commonwealth. Electing judges in expensive, partisan elections by judicial districts subverts the role of the judiciary and encroaches on the roles of the other two branches of government.

On Tuesday, April 9th the Senate State Government Committee will vote on Senate Bill 22, the same constitutional amendment from Spring 2018 which established a politician-appointed commission to draw legislative and congressional district lines. While we appreciate the continued commitment of Committee Chairs Mike Folmer, Anthony Williams and their colleagues as well as bill sponsor Senator Lisa Boscola to reforming the Pennsylvania redistricting process, as written, this bill is insufficient to address the concerns of Pennsylvanians who are tired of the proverbial fox guarding the henhouse when it comes to drawing fair and representative districts.

“It is impossible to diminish the importance of the census as the foundation of representative self-governance and every Americans’ ability to help shape the future of our families and communities. The census is critical to representation at all levels of government and the federal resources that support our states, communities, and constituencies." -- Micah Sims, Executive Director

Common Cause Pennsylvania applauds Governor Tom Wolf’s efforts to address partisan gerrymandering in our state. Wolf’s executive order will give Pennsylvanians a chance to be heard on an important and fundamental question of our representative democracy – who represents our communities in the state legislature, the US House and Senate.

Throwback to when the Pa. Supreme Court threw out the 2011 Congressional maps for being unconstitutionally gerrymandered.

“If you care about building an inclusive democracy, that lifts all people’s voices, then Kury’s book is a must read. It presents the real life drama of gerrymandering that is more spellbinding than any spy novel. And it gives practical guidance for activists that is easier to follow than an IKEA manual. Bravo!” -KATHAY FENG, national redistricting chair for Common Cause