Pennsylvania Gerrymandering (Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Wilkes-Barre: 2014, taxes, legally)

[Duderino]

The new proposed map is light years better. The GOP deserves credit for finally cooperating and giving it a good faith effort.

I will say, though, that Montgomery County, the state's largest suburban Democratic stronghold, is still carved into four different districts, which appears to be the most of any county. I don't think that's an accident (the GOP is obviously going to try to preserve some of their competitiveness to the extent possible).

There should be at least some more effort to simplify the boundaries in MontCo. At least reducing the number of districts in the county from 4 to 3.

[eschaton]

yuh

Originally Posted by jate88

The legislature passed a new map. Now they're waiting on Govenor Wolf. What are people's thoughts on it?

GOP lawmakers release proposed new congressional map - The Morning Call

The legislature did not pass this map. The Republican heads of the state House/Senate submitted it as a proposal to Wolf. Technically this is in violation of what the Court demanded.

In general, the Republicans triaged their open seats in the 7th and 15th districts, making both into seats the Dems will pick up this cycle. They went out of their way to create a still Republican seat for Costello. The 17th becomes much more Republican. They also move Conor Lamb into the 14th to shore up the 18th for Saccone.

Most of the remaining tortured lines are for parochial reasons though. This is an incumbent protection gerrymander.

[bradjl2009]

Originally Posted by rowhomecity

Hmm.. definitely an improvement over the old map. I would like to know what metrics they used, there still seems to be lots of cutting IMO. Definitely more cohesive though. The old map was absolute TRASH.

The goal here is to have NO PARTISANSHIP from either party with these maps. And in reality they should be drawn so they are not a shoe in for either party, but competitive races. This is how we bring out the GREATEST AND MOST POSITIVE POLICIES.

When we have seats that are shoe ins for either party. Harrisburg DOES NOTHING. And neither does D.C.

I noticed that it looks way better too. Some cutting though counties is necessary though I think (especially ones like Philadelphia) to keep them less partisan than what it would be if they kept the lines within one county. Some districts look like that they would be much more competitive (the PA 12th in suburban Pittsburgh for example), but pretty hard to say without having some numbers around.

[bradjl2009]

Originally Posted by eschaton

In general, the Republicans triaged their open seats in the 7th and 15th districts, making both into seats the Dems will pick up this cycle. They went out of their way to create a stop Republican seat for Costello. The 17th becomes much more Republican. They also move Conor Lamb into the 14th to shore up the 18th for Saccone.

I thought I noticed that too about Conor Lamb. The courts might use that as enough cause to not allow them to use this new map.

[jate88]

I think compactness and not taking county/municipal boundaries into consideration was the only thing the lawsuit was about.

There seems to be three different complaints about gerrymandering:
1) Districts should be competitive
2) Districts should keep counties, municipalities, economic regions, and cultural regions together as much as possible
3) The district shouldn't look like they got the idea for the shape from looking at a piece of seaweed floating in the ocean.

The far eastern ones look like sure democrat wins. Maybe they did that on purpose in the hopes that they'll go off, do their own thing, and eventually join New Jersey.

[thecoalman]

Originally Posted by rowhomecity

And in reality they should be drawn so they are not a shoe in for either party, but competitive races..

You would end up with just as crazy looking maps as the ones that got thrashed. Political affiliation of who lives in an area should not be a consideration.

[Dequindre]

I'm a Republican, but I like the new proposed map much better. It seems to make an effort to follow the county administrative boundaries. I can see some practical advantages that as well (Congressmen will be representing the entire county, in most instances).

[Dequindre]

Originally Posted by eschaton

yuh

The legislature did not pass this map. The Republican heads of the state House/Senate submitted it as a proposal to Wolf. Technically this is in violation of what the Court demanded.

In general, the Republicans triaged their open seats in the 7th and 15th districts, making both into seats the Dems will pick up this cycle. They went out of their way to create a still Republican seat for Costello. The 17th becomes much more Republican. They also move Conor Lamb into the 14th to shore up the 18th for Saccone.

Most of the remaining tortured lines are for parochial reasons though. This is an incumbent protection gerrymander.

Uh, yeah, it's going to be like that to some extent. Republicans control the legislature, so they have that advantage in this process. I think they did a good job of keeping the districts more compact, and most lines are along administrative boundaries.

[Smash255]

Originally Posted by Dequindre

Uh, yeah, it's going to be like that to some extent. Republicans control the legislature, so they have that advantage in this process. I think they did a good job of keeping the districts more compact, and most lines are along administrative boundaries.

They do have that advantage to a point. They do, however need to come up with a map that Wolf will not veto and this certainly isn't that. While neater than the old map, continuing to push the 6th further into more rural sections of Berks in order to keep Reading out is still a gerrymander.

[eschaton]

Tom Wolf has rejected the map. Rightfully so, IMHO. The map was certainly marginally better (both in terms of aesthetics and having more competitive seats) but it didn't actually comply with the Supreme Court ruling.

In the next two days, we get to see if the Republicans will try and propose a "plan C" map to get Tom Wolf's approval. Most likely, they're going to push another frivolous challenge to the Supreme Court and get shot down.

The Court-drawn map is likely already being perfected by the outside experts they are consulting with. It will be unveiled to the public next Monday.