Drawing the Lines: How redistricting reform will improve Pennsylvania and restore citizen’s trust in government.
The Discussions on Governance Lecture Series
David Thornburgh, President and CEO of the Committee of Seventy.
Drawing the Lines: How redistricting reform will improve Pennsylvania and restore citizen’s trust in government.
VIDEO LINK TO LECTURE PRESENTATION
Over the last 4 years, the once-arcane topic of redistricting reform-drawing election maps in a transparent, accessible and accountable process—has improbably captured the hearts and minds of tens of thousands of Pennsylvanians. As we anticipate the 2021 Census, and the election maps that will be drawn from those numbers, time is short for legislative leaders to take action. But citizen energy around this issue is at an all-time high and dozens of legislators from both parties have called for reform, and several proposals are now circulating in our state capitol. Why does redistricting reform matter, and what we can do about it, and what’s likely to happen?
David is the second son of Dick and Ginny Thornburgh and is the President and CEO of the Committee of Seventy, the longstanding nonpartisan advocate for better government based in Philadelphia. With the support of Pennsylvania foundations, in 2018 the Committee of Seventy created Draw the Lines PA, a statewide public mapping competition that has engaged over 5,000 Pennsylvanians, as young as 14, in drawing their own congressional maps. Draw the Lines PA has demonstrated that Pennsylvanians are ready, willing, and able to share in the work of drawing election maps. Thornburgh was also appointed by Governor Wolf to chair the PA Redistricting Reform Commission, whose 2019 report advanced a “Pennsylvania Plan” for redistricting reform that brings more transparency and independence to the process.
Parking is suggested at Soldiers and Sailors auditorium garage.This lecture is free and open to the public. Registration is requested.Refreshments will be served.Message from the Governor
The Forum was established at the late Dick Thornburgh’s Law School alma mater, the University of Pittsburgh. In connection with the Dick Thornburgh Papers held by the University's Hillman Library, the Forum reflects his experiences in public life. It is in intended to foster discourse on issues vital to the preservation of our democratic system and the Rule of Law upon which that system depends.
Special thanks are due to Chancellor Emeritus Mark Nordenberg who serves as the Director of the Dick Thornburgh Forum and has been unstinting in support of this effort since its inception. In addition, many others have provided time, resources and dedication to this undertaking.