LHU Hosting ‘Maps Matter: Pennsylvania Redistricting Reform in 2020’

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. — Lock Haven University will host “Maps Matter: Pennsylvania Redistricting Reform in 2020” with Dr. Carol Kuniholm, co-founder and chair of Fair Districts PA, from 7-8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 25 in the Hamblin Hall of Flags, Robinson Hall, on the campus of LHU. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Kuniholm will discuss the status of Pennsylvania redistricting reform in the 2020 legislative session.

Fair Districts PA advocates for the creation of an independent commission to draw Pennsylvania’s congressional and legislative district lines. Redistricting to create equal-population districts occurs every 10 years, after the decennial U.S. census determines the numbers and distribution of population.

Under current law, party leaders in the legislature and governor’s office exercise a great deal of influence in Pennsylvania redistricting. Fair Districts PA proposes an independent commission and a more transparent process. For reform advocates, 2020 is a critical year if it is to be fully adopted in time for the next redistricting, which will follow the 2020 census.

The talk will be an opportunity for students and others in the community to learn more about the proposal and the political process necessary to enacting it, and to ask questions of one of the leaders of the redistricting reform movement in Pennsylvania.

The event is free and open to the public and will include a question and answer session. The event is sponsored by Fair Districts PA; the LHU political science program; and the department of history, political science, international studies and foreign languages at LHU.