Second in the “Demystifying Democracy” Webinar Series 

(Harrisburg, PA) Yesterday, Common Cause Pennsylvania hosted the second webinar in their “Demystifying Democracy” series. “Introduction to Redistricting” explained the upcoming redistricting process to Pennsylvanians from across the political spectrum. 

A recording of the event is available here.

“Pennsylvanians need to understand our current redistricting process, why it’s so important for the health of our democracy, and most importantly – how they can get involved in this typically closed door process,” said Khalif Ali, Executive Director of Common Cause Pennsylvania. 

The outcome of this redistricting cycle matters to everyone living in the Commonwealth: ensuring that our elected leaders in Congress, the General Assembly, county commissions and city councils actually represent our communities — no matter who we are, the color of our skin, or where we live.

“Pennsylvanians deserve a redistricting process that puts our communities at the center, prioritizes accessibility and transparency, and endeavors to ensure that voters in every Pennsylvania legislative and senatorial district have an equal opportunity to elect a candidate that shares their values and lived experience,” Ali added. 

Pennsylvanians across the state attended to see how redistricting can lead to more resources for communities like theirs, such as: money for schools where our kids learn, access to public transit to get us to work, and better healthcare to keep us healthy.

Community leaders and everyday Pennsylvanians left the webinar with the foundation they need to begin participating in the redistricting process. 

“The upcoming districting process will literally shape Pennsylvania’s government for the next decade,” said Kathay Feng, National Redistricting Director for Common Cause. “Once they are drawn, district lines determine what communities are represented by government decision-makers, and what resources are available to people who need them. Pennsylvanians need to ensure that district lines are not drawn behind closed doors, but instead through an open and transparent process that is centered on communities.”

The only way to prevent partisan gerrymandering is to ensure transparency and accountability in the districting process. This webinar was just the first step.

Common Cause Pennsylvania will continue its “Demystifying Democracy” series throughout the year with different focus areas designed to frame democracy as a political system that is easily understood, highly impactful and when practiced, an opportunity to build power. Our government ‘by the people’ is stronger when more people participate in it.