HARRISBURG, PA – January 24, 2025 – Senator Tim Kearney (D – Delaware) recently announced plans to reintroduce legislation to establish an Independent Redistricting Commission in Pennsylvania, addressing years of public demand for a fair, transparent, and nonpartisan process for drawing congressional and legislative districts.
This week, the co-sponsorship memo was circulated, calling on PA senators to join this redistricting reform effort.
“For too long, Pennsylvanians have watched as political maps were drawn behind closed doors by those who stand to gain the most from them,” said Senator Kearney. “This has eroded trust in our democracy and left people, especially those who are already marginalized, feeling underrepresented. This commission will be a major step forward in ensuring that maps are drawn for the people, not the politicians.”
This legislation would:
- Establish an 11-member independent redistricting commission in Pennsylvania comprised of individuals who represent the geographic and demographic diversity of the Commonwealth.
- Ensure balance among the state’s largest political parties and independent voters.
- Prohibit recently elected, appointed or declared candidate for office from serving on the commission in efforts to remove political influence.
- Prohibit persons who served in the governing body of a political party, was a paid consultant or employee for a legislative office or a candidate’s campaign, or close family member of anyone who has served in those roles from serving on the commission.
The legislation also includes clear redistricting criteria prohibiting maps that favor or disfavor individual candidates or political parties. It focuses on keeping districts compact, connected, and reflective of shared community interests while ensuring populations are evenly distributed for fair and equal representation.
“For decades Pennsylvania was a poster child for partisan gerrymandering, among the worst in the nation by multiple metrics,” said Carol Kuniholm, Chair of Fair Districts PA. “While strong public attention and advocacy helped yield current more responsive maps, there’s nothing in law to safeguard future maps. Evidence shows that independent redistricting commissions can minimize unfounded partisan advantage, increase trust in the outcome of elections, and prevent endless disruptive litigation. Amending the PA Constitution to create such a commission will be a lengthy process, but there’s strong support from voters, former legislators, and all who believe voters, not district lines, should decide who represents us.”
At the core of the proposal—transparency. The legislation would also require the use of a publicly accessible communication platform where citizens can submit map proposals, provide feedback, and access all data used by the commission.
“Pennsylvanians, regardless of political affiliation, want to see change,” said Kearney. “This is not about partisan gain—it’s about restoring integrity to the process and giving the power back to the people.”
The reintroduction of this legislation reflects Senator Kearney’s continued commitment to meaningful reform and equitable representation.
The full co-sponsorship memo is available online.
###