Join the League of Women Voters of Bucks County on Saturday, Jan. 9, from 10:30 a.m. to noon, for an online presentation by Kadida Kenner, director of the nonpartisan campaign Why Courts Matter – PA.
The presentation “State Courts Matter and the Fight to Stop Judicial Gerrymandering” is a timely topic given the reintroduction to the Pennsylvania Legislature of a proposed constitutional amendment that would require PA Supreme Court justices and judges of the Superior and Commonwealth Courts of PA to run for election in regional districts, rather than statewide. If this amendment is approved by the end of February, it will appear on the Primary Election ballot in May 2021.
The proposed constitutional amendment is expected to be introduced to the legislature for their vote soon. If enacted, it would create new judicial districts based on the number of judges and without any transparency in the process of how the districts would be drawn. The legislators would decide how a transition would occur from the current statewide elections to geographically-based elections, opening the door for partisan gerrymandering. Not clear in the bill and left to legislators are questions on how the transition would take place, how judges would seek retention, which districts would elect new justices and judges and who would get to continue on the bench.
To take part in the presentation, sign up at bit.ly/State-Courts-Matter. Following the presentation, there will be the opportunity for questions. Visit lwvbucks.org for more information.
