Editor:
My belief in the American political system was validated during the Nov. 7 election as I spent the day at the polls and talked to people about gerrymandering and the nonpartisan Fair Districts organization. At the poll I was covering, 255 voters of all political persuasions submitted their names in support of creating an independent citizens redistricting commission to draw our legislative maps.
People are genuinely upset about the gerrymandering that occurs on both side of the aisle every 10 years following the census.
Fair Districts, an organization composed of thousands of Pennsylvanians across the political spectrum, is calling for such a commission to finally put an end to gerrymandering. There is already a blueprint to accomplish this in a fair and impartial way. This has been done successfully in other states.
The petitions collected throughout the state will be sent to all Pennsylvania legislators asking them to end the conflict-of-interest practice, ensconced in the state constitution, that allows them to shape the outcome of elections in their favor before the first vote is even cast. Maps that intentionally and unduly favor one candidate or one party over another have no place in a democracy.
Our legislators need to hear from all of us to put Pennsylvania back on the path to government by and for the people.
Louise Grim
Wyomissing
Source: Berkshire mont