The Incumbent Protection Plan, also known as gerrymandering, is under attack in Pennsylvania. A group called Fair Districts PA is trying to drum up public support for fair and reasonable legislative districts in the state. Everyone who studies government knows that gerrymandering leads to cynicism, gridlock, and a decline in voting participation. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to get legislators like Doyle Heffley or Jerry Knowles to change the system that elected them.
Now a U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin has ruled 2-1 that Wisconsin’s gerrymandered districts are illegally drawn.
Most district court cases ordinarily go to a federal Court of Appeals, but redistricting cases by pass the Appeals Court and go directly to the U.S. Supreme Court. If the Supreme Court upholds the Wisconsin decision, Pennsylvania’s district lines will have to be redrawn as well.
Keep your fingers crossed.
No comments:
Post a Comment