Public Hearing on Redistricting

Hearing RoomAfter months of agitation by activists, a public hearing on redistricting legislation is now scheduled by the State Senate State Government Committee for 9:00 am, March 27th, Room 1 of the North Office Building in Harrisburg. The hearing will consider several pieces of legislation in the Senate, each creating an independent, non-partisan commission for redistricting:

  • SB 22 creates a commission made of 4 Democrats, 4 Republicans and 3 Independents to make a redistricting plan, which needs 7 votes (including at least 1 vote from each party group) to pass.
  • SB 243 creates a commission made of 4 Democrats, 4 Republicans and 1 Independent to make a redistricting plan, which needs 7 votes to pass and then a final vote of approval from the legislature. If the first plan fails, they made a second; if the second plan fails, the PA Supreme Court picks one of the two.
  • SB 464 creates a commission made of 2 appointees for each House and Senate caucus and 1 neutral chairperson appointed by the others to make a redistricting plan, which needs 7 of 9 votes to pass. If a plan fails or if no plan passes by the end of year after the census, the PA Supreme Court creates the plan.
  • SB 767 creates a commission made of 2 Democrats, 2 Republicans and 1 Independent to make a redistricting plan, needing 3 of 5 votes to pass. Several people are prohibited from serving on the commission, such as elected officials and lobbyists. If a plan fails to pass by December 15th of the year after the census, the PA Supreme Court will create the plan.

You may attend this hearing or watch it via livestreaming on my website on March 27th.

Recent Update

electionSince last week, neither the U.S. Supreme Court nor the federal court, both of which are considering whether the congressional maps drawn by the PA Supreme Court should go forward for 2018, has made a decision yet. While the outcome of the maps is still subject to court review, candidates continue to campaign to get on the ballot.  No date is set for a decision by the courts as the primary election day of 15 May is only 11 weeks away.

Dare to Care,

Art Haywood
State Senator
4th District