Letter to the editor: Bills would work to end gerrymandering

Let’s work together to stop partisan gerrymandering. Gerrymandering puts power in the hands of a few — the politicians — at the expense of the rest of us — the citizenry.

We can stop this crooked process by telling our state reps that we support House Bills 22 and 23. Citizens’ activist groups are demanding reform in how legislative districts are created, as evidenced by high-profile court cases in Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Maryland.

If passed, the bills will create an independent 11-member citizens redistricting commission consisting of four Democrats, four Republicans and three other members tasked with creating fairer, more compact, contiguous districts that don’t resemble odd shapes. Under proposed new rules, political lines that “crack” constituencies — i.e., divide them between districts — will not be permitted in the state House.

Who among us can afford another decade of unaccountable government? These odd-shaped districts produce gridlock, and little legislation gets passed. Before the end of the current legislative session, contact your legislators and encourage them to co-sponsor House Bills 22 and 23.

Since the inception of our republic and its beginnings as a fledgling democracy, political districts have been crafted by the party in power in such a manner as to create fiefdoms for the “elites” to reign over the masses. We must change the redistricting process with legislation and/or a voter referendum.

Learn more about the proposed “two bills, one commission” at fairdistrictspa.com/solution.

George A. Karpacs

South Park Township