FairDistrictsPA.com

Today we're thankful for the Fair Districts PA village of volunteers and supporters, giving their time and resources to make sure all our voices are heard and all our votes matter.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

YouTube video by wgaltv Should Pennsylvania remove lawmakers from redistricting process?

Should PA remove lawmakers from the redistricting process?
YES.
Politicians with partisan agendas should not be the ones drawing district maps.
HB 31 and SB 131 would change that.
We're asking leaders to give the bills a vote.
youtu.be/RAC2_9B5bxM?...

The road to reform is even longer & more challenging here in Pennsylvania, but citizens here will continue the fight. We'll be in Harrisburg this week - demanding votes on House Bill 31 & Senate Bill 131.
actionnetwork.org/events/press...

In 2018 Utahns exercised their right to alter & reform their government with a citizen initiative to ban partisan gerrymandering. Legislative leaders have been fighting back ever since. This week citizens won in court.
ivn.us/posts/utah-j...

2 of 2: What about California’s vote on Proposition 50?
While proponents of tit-for-tat redistricting battle may point to Vote YES outcome, an exit poll showed 92% of voters who responded said future districts should be drawn by an independent commission.
Check our web update.

1 of 2: Multiple polls show voters dislike gerrymandering - no matter what party does it. No matter their reason.
That number is growing, especially among younger voters.
Maybe rigging maps to win is not an effective long-term strategy.
fairdistrictspa.com/updates/stro...

PA is safe from #redistricting war for now, but unless redistricting reform passes, all bets are off for outside money before 2031. PA will be a top target.
Check an open letter to PA legislators for more.
www.fairdistrictspa.com/updates/an-o...

Wonder whose agendas block PA reforms & are delaying a final PA budget?
Check legislators on Yass Tracker (read all the way down) alleyesonyass.squarespace.com/yass-tracker
Then check flow of Yass PAC donations listed in Transparency USA.
PA deserves better. 2/2💰
transparencyusa.org/pa/contribut...

PA has always been a top target for outside money trying to capture control of Congress.
Don't fall for false advertising surrounding the judicial retention vote.
The one best way to be sure PA has fair maps for the future: pass House Bill 31 / Senate Bill 131 SOON. 1/2💰

Gerrymandering erodes confidence in democracy UCR political science professor Shaun Bowler used survey data from tens of thousands of voters in the 2020 and 2022 elections show that Americans view gerrymandering with the same disdain they reserve...

When people believe elections are predetermined by politicians, rather than decided by voters, they may be less inclined to donate to candidates, volunteer, or even show up at the polls...The disillusionment crosses party lines.
news.ucr.edu/articles/202...

Attentive readers caught an error in the graphic showing votes cast vs seat share. D and R were flipped for 2018. As some who noticed reported: the remedy map still had a slight R advantage, but much closer to balance that the unlawful 2011 version. Here's the correction.

3 PA Supreme Court justices will be on Nov 4 ballot for retention. Court protection of our right to free & equal elections is so important we've created TWO web updates to provide more information.
Please read & share:
www.fairdistrictspa.com/updates/judi...
www.fairdistrictspa.com/updates/a-re...

Poll: Most Americans oppose political parties drawing election lines National majorities of Democrats and Republicans, as well as majorities in both Texas and California, prefer nonpartisan commissions over political parties in power to run redistricting.

✍🏽2 The latest @nbcnews.com survey shows 82% of Americans want independent #redistricting commissions. #Gerrymandering is wrong - no matter who does it.
Trying to punish justices for overturning gerrymandered maps is like firing umpires for calling balls & strikes.
www.nbcnews.com/politics/pol...

✍🏽1 When you see ads saying PA Supreme Court gerrymandered PA, feel free to share this slide.
Same RSLC that bragged about 13-5 gerrymander in
redistrictingmajorityproject.com
is funding partisan attack on judicial protection of PA right to free & equal elections. votebeat.org/pennsylvania...

Large majorities of Americans say gerrymandering is a major problem, unfair, and should be illegal | YouGov Less Republicans than Democrats oppose gerrymandering, though Democrats are more willing to use tit-for-tat gerrymandering in response to Republican partisan gerrymandering.

Do Americans think gerrymandering is fair?
No. Most recognize it as cheating.
That's true in both parties, in all states, across the US. And increasingly true among younger voters.
Majorities think all gerrymandering should be illegal.
today.yougov.com/politics/art...

YouTube video by Hank Green The Massive Fraud that’s Tearing America Apart

Vlogger Hank Green does a great job explaining #gerrymandering: the massive fraud tearing America apart.
Want to help in PA? Sign our petition at tinyurl.com/FairDistrict... and visit www.fairdistrictspa.com
youtu.be/YVdQjqUXuDc?...

In some ways the Texas redistricting story is complicated, with the DOJ reversing itself, & the Texas GOP legislative majority redrawing a map that same majority drew just 4 years ago.
In other ways it’s a straightforward power grab.
We know who loses.
www.fairdistrictspa.com/updates/gerr...

#Redistricting should center constituents & communities, not political parties & party leaders.
#txlege power grab is dangerous & wrong.
#gerrymandering other states in response would set a dangerous precedent during crucial moment for US democracy.
www.commoncause.org/california/p...

How anti-gerrymandering activists could benefit Pa. Republicans and vice versa • Pennsylvania Capital-Star Could there ever be a moment in which the interests of political party leaders and government reform advocates come into alignment?

No one knows for sure who will have the upper hand in PA #redistricting in 2031. By the time we DO know, it will be too late to put protections in place for either party.
It's time for an open, transparent, public process beneficial to all Pennsylvanians.
penncapital-star.com/commentary/h...

Fair Districts PA advocates for transparent redistricting process A nonpartisan organization represented by thousands of volunteers across Pennsylvania  is advocating for a more fair and transparent redistricting process in Pennsylvania, with voters, not politici…

A Pottsville Republican Herald reporter met Fair Districts PA volunteers & interns at a recent event & circled back for an extended interview.
What do we mean by fair districts?
What are we working toward?
Why does PA need reform before 2031?
www.republicanherald.com/2025/07/15/f...

Over 120,000 Pennsylvanians have signed the petition in support of an independent redistricting commission. That's over 7,000 since April.
Voters from every county & every district want an independent redistricting commission.
Will legislators listen?

House Democrats, California leaders weigh tit-for-tat redistricting if Texas Republicans redraw maps Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom’s aides have signaled their boss’s willingness to counter Texas redistricting with a similar move to offset GOP gains, lawmakers said.

Tit-for-tat #redistricting focuses on the 2 major parties: which party can control the mapping process to grab more seats in Congress.
Whatever the outcome, ALL voters lose representation & trust in elections. With #gerrymandering only leaders & top donors win.
www.texastribune.org/2025/07/03/r...

It's summer. Time for postcards.
FDPA volunteers created 5 postcards -all available for free - to send to legislators in support of PA redistricting reform.
Order some cards & share them with friends & neighbors.
Find cards, details & instructions here: www.fairdistrictspa.com/updates/post...

As Rep Russ Diamond notes: "meaningful change is still a long way off...I mean, just look at the situation we’re in right now."
When leaders draw district lines, control flow of funds, set legislative agenda, is real reform possible?
Only with strong, lasting public demand. 2of2

Two decades ago lawmakers gave themselves a raise while Pennsylvanians slept It's the 20th anniversary of the controversial pay raise approved by Harrisburg lawmakers.

On June 7, 2025, a small group of reformers gathered in the PA capitol rotunda to remember the pay raise scandal of June 7, 2005.
At the time, public outcry forced some changes to legislative rules. Some legislators were voted out in subsequent elections. 1of2
www.pennlive.com/news/2025/07...

Pennsylvania’s was 1st of any constitution to begin with the words We the People.
Amending the PA Constitution to give redistricting power back to the people is an essential to create a government more fully of, by, & for the people of PA.
#FourthOfJuly #July4
www.fairdistrictspa.com/updates/we-t...

FDPA volunteers in Cumberland reported friendly welcome from @PAGOP & @PADems primary
volunteers in red & blue tents
Folks in both tents encouraged voters to sign FDPA petition in support of an Independent Redistricting Commission #NotRedNotBlueJustFair fairdistrictspa.com/updates/thou...

Thank you @amyuno.bsky.social for your support of a PA Independent Redistricting Commission!
Civic engagement at its best: working together to make sure all voices are heard & all communities are represented.
It's great to hear that voters understand why this matters!
#NotRedNotBlueJustFair

Reimagining the Ballot: A Comprehensive Look at Primary and General Election Systems - R Street Institute Authors Table of Contents Media Contact For general and media inquiries and to book our experts, please contact: pr@rstreet.org Executive Summary The existing party structure in the United States sign...

Electoral systems matter.
In PA's closed primaries, important municipal offices are often decided by a small percentage of voters.
Are there better approaches?
‪@rstreet.bsky.social reimagines the candidate selection process to maximize participation & representation.
www.rstreet.org/research/rei...