On the second day of trial in a federal case over partisan gerrymandering and the constitutionality of Pennsylvania’s congressional district map, seven voters named as plaintiffs in the case testified that they believe their vote doesn’t count. They’re calling for a new map in time for the 2018 midterm election, when all 18 of Pennsylvania’s congressional seats are up for grabs. Louis Agre, 63, a leader in Philadelphia’s Democratic party, complained that elections aren’t competitive enough in the 2nd congressional district.
In the last congressional election in 2016, U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans (PA-2) defeated Republican challenger James Jones with more than 90 percent of the vote.
“Our votes are watered down by living in such a highly concentrated district,” said Agre.
Agre, a labor lawyer, testified that there are too many Democrats in the district, which he believes leads to uncompetitive elections and candidates who cater to voters on the far left of the party rather than those in the middle with more moderate views.
Full Article: Pennsylvania voters testify in gerrymandering trial in federal court : Keystone Crossroads : Over the Line? : Courts & Law : WHYY.