Redistricting
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Redistricting

Seventy advocates for fair district drawing to promote free, competitive elections.

Draw the Lines PA

In September 2018, the Committee of Seventy launched Draw the Lines PA, which became the largest known political mapping competition in the country's history. Offering significant cash prizes up to $5,000, this nonpartisan contest puts the same digital tools used by the political pros into the hands of Pennsylvania’s voters and students. Draw the Lines demonstrates that voters can lead a process that produces far better maps and a renewed sense of civic engagement among Pennsylvanians. Visit DTL's website, drawthelinespa.org, to learn how you can enter your own maps into the competition.

President and CEO of Seventy, David Thornburgh, and the Redistricting Commission 

David Thornburgh's Testimony on Congressional Redistricting

David Thornburgh, Chairman of the Bipartisan Pennsylvania Redistricting Reform Commission

David Thornburgh on the Importance of Fair Elections

What's Redistricting?

Every ten years after the federal census, states are required to redraw the boundaries of their congressional and state legislative districts to ensure they remain equal in population. Each state has a different way of redistricting, and in Pennsylvania, congressional boundaries are determined by the General Assembly while state House and Senate districts are drawn by a five-member bipartisan commission. See Ballotpedia's primer on redistricting for an overview of the redistricting process in states across the country. For more on Pennsylvania, see this 101 guide by the nonpartisan Fair Districts PA coalition.

Gerrymandering: Drawing Crooked Lines

In many states including Pennsylvania, the redistricting process has proven highly vulnerable to gerrymandering, when districts are redrawn to give an advantage to certain parties, office holders or constituencies in elections. The consequences are numerous, including uncompetitive elections and diminished (or unfairly increased) influence of certain voters, all of which can contribute to political gridlock.

The Committee of Seventy urges voters across the state to draw their own maps through Draw the Lines PA and support Fair Districts PA in its work to fight for fairness and transparency in Pennsylvania's redistricting process. We are honored that our President and CEO David Thornborough was asked to chair the Pennsylvania Redistricting Reform Commission and has been serving since 2018. Visit drawthelinespa.org to learn how you can participate in reform and follow DTL on Facebook and Twitter.

Recent News
News

March 13, 2024

Committee of Seventy Releases Columns From Transition Sessions for Mayor and City Council

The Committee of Seventy, with support from the William Penn Foundation, hosted a series of briefings beginning in the fall of 2023 to help manage upcoming transitions into office for the Mayor and City Council. In an effort to share insights from the briefings with the public, Seventy released several columns on the sessions written by Dave Davies.

February 29, 2024

Committee of Seventy Launches Poll Worker and Poll Watcher Information Sessions

For the fourth consecutive year, the Committee of Seventy, in partnership with the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania, launched its poll worker and poll watcher virtual information sessions in advance of the April 23, 2024 primary election. Between March 1st and April 22nd, Seventy and the LWVPA will host nearly 30 sessions designed for both new and experienced poll workers and poll watchers.

January 10, 2024

Committee of Seventy Releases Statement on Changes in Philadelphia City Commissioner’s Office

Committee of Seventy President and CEO Lauren Cristella released a statement regarding the appointment of City Commissioner Omar Sabir as Chairperson and Stephanie Reid as Director of Election Administration of the Philadelphia City Commissioners.

December 14, 2023

Committee of Seventy's Response to Philadelphia Ethics Board Announcement

C70's response to Ethics Board Announcement regarding their Campaign Finance Regulation (Regulation No. 1)

November 17, 2023

Public Comment, School District of Philadelphia Board Meeting

Director of Civic Education Justin Villere comments on behalf of Committee of Seventy to endorse voter education curriculum in public schools.