The return of the Map Making Men

Last time on the Map Making Men… The 5 member Legislative Reapportionment Commission was left trying to figure out what to do when the PA Supreme Court rejected their initial redistricting maps.

Chartering in unprecedented waters, on Thur, the map making men presented new maps in the sequel to this ongoing saga.

If you’re just joining; here’s what you missed: The LRC, a commission who is constitutionally responsible to redraw political boundaries every 10yrs based on population shifts, had their maps declared unconstitutional by the PA Supreme Court earlier this year. The court citied too many county and municipal splits as their reason for dismissing the previously adopted map; the first time in PA’s history.  The decision threw the political world in chaos, and required this year’s election to be held in 2001 lines!  After months of threats of changing the primary election date, offering new maps, legal challenges, and a Federal court judges opinion, the map making men brought us to where we are today.

After much anticipation the LRC met to propose maps… again.  After the 2 Republicans (Majority Leaders in the House and Senate), 2 Democrats (Minority Leaders in the House and Senate), and the impartial chairman (former Judge) presented different versions, the LRC came together and voted on the proposed maps in a 4-1 vote.  The new maps take into consideration the Supreme Court’s comments, and propose less county and municipal boundary splits.  There will be a public hearing for comment on May 2nd. The Commission can not take final action for 30 days, or until May 12th.