STATE COLLEGE – On Tuesday, Gov. Tom Wolf was joined by Penn State University faculty and students, community leaders and residents for a non-partisan panel discussion about gerrymandering in the commonwealth.
Nearly 100 constituents joined the discussion on how the current Congressional map affects their representation and how they feel redistricting should be approached.
This is the first in a series of listening sessions the governor will hold across Pennsylvania in advance of the Feb. 9 deadline for the General Assembly to deliver a redrawn Congressional map.
“It’s important that we engage in open and transparent conversation on gerrymandering,” said Wolf. “This is not a partisan issue, and I want to make it clear that the people of Pennsylvania are the ones leading this charge.”
Along with Wolf, panelists included Zak Kalp, Penn State University senior and president of Better Politics PSU; Dr. Jessica O’Hara, associate teaching professor in Communication Arts and Sciences, Penn State University; Dr. Bradford Vivian, associate professor in Communications Arts and Sciences, Penn State University, and director of the Center for Democratic Deliberation; Debbie Trudeau, Fair Districts PA; and Jonathan Marks, commissioner, Department of State Bureau of Commissions, Elections and Legislation.
Last week Wolf announced he will enlist a non-partisan mathematician, Moon Duchin, Ph.D., an associate professor of mathematics from Tufts University, to provide him with guidance on evaluating redistricting maps for fairness.
Wolf has it made clear since the Supreme Court ruled the map unconstitutional that he sees this as an opportunity to eliminate partisan gerrymandering and deliver the people of Pennsylvania a fair Congressional map.