Pa. court issues new congressional map for 2018 elections

[Born To Slay 10,996]

http://www.wfmz.com/news/pennsylvania/pa-court-issues-new-congressional-map-for-2018-elections/704217009

HARRISBURG, Pa. - The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has imposed a new congressional district map for the state's 2018 elections, meeting its deadline to do so and likely setting up a challenge from Republicans.

Monday's order means a new map is to take effect in the May 15 primary.

Republican lawmakers are expected to quickly challenge it in federal court, arguing legislatures and governors, not courts, have the constitutional responsibility to draw congressional maps.

If it stands, the revised map is almost certain to improve Democrats' chances in more seats this year.

 

[Florian 20,017]

I do agree, the map shouldn't be decided by a court ! This map will affect legislation and Justice should not have any power to do so  

[Petie Estie 5,736]

5 minutes ago, Florian said:

I do agree, the map shouldn't be decided by a court ! This map will affect legislation and Justice should not have any power to do so  

why does it make more sense for the people that get put in power based on the maps to draw them?

[weed 79,282]

12 minutes ago, SEANGT said:

why does it make more sense for the people that get put in power based on the maps to draw them?

Papa DO preach 

[Florian 20,017]

12 minutes ago, SEANGT said:

why does it make more sense for the people that get put in power based on the maps to draw them?

1) Separation of powers. Election is a legislative/executive matter, not a judicial one

2) Even if you try to optimize a result with gerrymandering the result of an election can't be predicted, people can change their opinions on a canditate/party very easily. 

[Petie Estie 5,736]

8 hours ago, Florian said:

1) Separation of powers. Election is a legislative/executive matter, not a judicial one

2) Even if you try to optimize a result with gerrymandering the result of an election can't be predicted, people can change their opinions on a canditate/party very easily. 

oh honey.... no. if half of your argument is that gerrymandering is essentially not that big of a deal...you're just not right. We literally have the evidence that it is. lol 

[Bebe 17,289]

8 hours ago, Florian said:

1) Separation of powers. Election is a legislative/executive matter, not a judicial one

2) Even if you try to optimize a result with gerrymandering the result of an election can't be predicted, people can change their opinions on a canditate/party very easily. 

1) Seperation of power is hugely important, it's theoretically in place to stop the powerful from overreaching. Legislative/Executive powers having the ability to carve up districts to favour themselves and give their party more power, influence and advantages seems like a pretty big overreach of power. The legislators have a very clear vested interest in carving up districts to give themselves and their party a significant advantage.

2) We just don't see that in the evidence. Take the 2014 elections for example:

44% of voters in Pennsylvania voted for Democratic candidates for the house of representatives, but 13/18 districts (more than 2/3rds) are represented by Republicans.

40% of voters in Ohio voted for Democratic candidates for the house of representatives, but 12/16 districts (2/4's)  are represented by Republicans. 

Those numbers are way out of proportion. 

Really there should be an independent electoral commission that is responsible for defining constituency boundaries. Giving the power to legislators is dumb. The court found that the former map was partisan and therefore “clearly, plainly and palpably” violated the state’s Constitution, it was within the court's power to do this as it was upholding the state constitution and that's why there is a separation of powers.