The Constitution requires a census every ten years. Seats in in the U.S. House of Representatives are reallocated in response to population changes within and among the various states. Although Pennsylvania’s population has grown within the past decade, other states have grown relatively faster, so Pennsylvania loses one member in the House of Representatives, dropping from 19 to 18. District lines, therefore, must be redrawn.
This is done through legislation, passed by the Pennsylvania House and Senate and approved by the governor. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court may hear challenges, but in 2011 the PA House, Senate, Governor, and Supreme Court are all controlled by Republicans.
What this means to Democrats I will be discussing at a CCDC meeting at the Inn at Jim Thorpe on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. I’ll explain gerrymandering, packing, cracking, the effect of the Voting Rights Act, and what the average citizen can do about the whole system. After my talk we’ll watch President Obama’s State of the Union message. There’s no charge.
looking forward to it. the pending redistricting could have a major impact on carbon county's representation in harrisburg and DC.
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