The Batdorf Lecture: Creating Legislative Districts: Why the Fuss Over Reapportionment

Event Description

Following each federal census, states adjust the boundaries of their Congressional Districts and their state legislative districts to reflect changes in populations. Reapportionment and redistricting are two related processes used to construct legislative districts. The boundaries of legislative districts are based on population, not voter registration.  Under state and federal law, districts are to include substantially equivalent populations. They are to be “contiguous” and “compact” and avoid as much as possible dividing up counties and municipalities.  Under federal law, they also must not result in creating districts which unfairly disadvantage racial and ethnic minorities.

Over the past year and a half there have been significant court challenges in Pennsylvania and other states over both the process used to create legislative boundaries and the results of that process.  The O’Pake Institute and the Berks County Bar Association are hosting an important panel discussion focusing on the reapportionment and redistricting process. The discussion will include information about how audience members can try their own hand at drawing these maps.

Our panelists:        

·    Amanda Holt, Lehigh County Commissioner

·    Arthur Naylor, Fair Districts PA

·    Mimi McKenzie, Public Interest Law Center

·    Chris Satullo, Draw the Lines PA

Joan E. London, Esq., the Chair of the Berks County Bar Association will be the moderator for the program.

For more information and to attend:

Eventbrite: Creating Legislative Districts: Why the Fuss about Reapportionment