'We have an opportunity here': Pa. Redistricting Commission hears testimony on racial gerrymandering

The commission in charge of redrawing Pennsylvania’s legislative maps conducted its seventh public hearing Wednesday by homing in on the topics of the Voting Rights Act and racial gerrymandering.

As part of its continued quest for public input, the Pennsylvania Legislative Redistricting Commission heard from four expert witnesses and four citizen witnesses who testified about the importance in addressing such topics as voting dilution, cracking of communities, the packing of legislative districts and voter disenfranchisement.

2020 Census data showing the exponential growth of Pennsylvania’s Hispanic community in many parts of the state was also at the center of the conversation Wednesday.

“The Hispanic community is not only growing in population, but they’re interested in participating,” Victor Martinez, a citizen witness from the Lehigh Valley, testified. “There is a community that wants to be heard.”

Read more: https://www.penncapital-star.com/blog/we-have-an-opportunity-here-pa-redistricting-commission-hears-testimony-on-racial-gerrymandering/