The Lehigh Valley was split up during the last Congressional redistricting process in 2011, excluding Easton and other parts of Northampton County. After a lawsuit, the lines were redrawn, and the Lehigh Valley was reunited.
It’s time to redistrict again. Does it matter to you whether the Lehigh Valley stays together in one Congressional district? Does it make a difference to you where the additional population necessary for our district comes from-- Monroe, Bucks, Berks or Carbon County? If so, I encourage you to add your voice to the redistricting conversation.
There is a Congressional redistricting hearing for our region at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 21 in Quakertown. If you cannot attend in-person, you can submit written testimony. Here is the link for further information.
One ask: Provide the proposed maps and their rationale a few weeks before the General Assembly votes on them, so the public could provide feedback. We don’t want a repeat of last time, with the Senate passing the maps 14 hours after seeing them and the House following 7 days later.
While Congressional redistricting is done via the regular legislative process, redistricting for the Pennsylvania House and Pennsylvania Senate is done by the Legislative Reapportionment Commission. The LRC’s website provides you with the ability to make comments and even upload your own map.
Fair Districts PA’s website has excellent explanations on how to find out what our districts look like, and what to consider when offering testimony.
Don’t let 2011 happen again.
Carla Colangelo
Upper Macungie Township
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