Redistricting Chair Sought

Looking for a job? Pennsylvania’s top lawmakers are seeking applicants for a spot as the head of the Legislative Reapportionment Commission.

If you’re good at math, love geography and want to dive into what can, at times, be an intensely partisan and complicated process, the gig could be for you. The Commission is made up of the top Democrats and Republicans from the House and Senate, as well as an outsider who isn’t a current officeholder. The five members will determine the boundaries for Pennsylvania’s state House and Senate districts over the coming year.

Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi spelled out what he’s looking for in a chair: “Someone with a proven track record of integrity and success at a high level. Preferably someone who has a good working knowledge of Pennsylvania government, of the laws that regulate Pennsylvania government, and of the political geography of Pennsylvania,” he said.

Barry Kauffman of Common Cause Pennsylvania, who had called for a more open redistricting process, says the bid for applications could be a step in the right direction. “This is something new and very promising that they’re suggesting they’re actually going to take applications for people to serve as the fifth member of the commission,” he said. “So reaching out like this to a much broader community might get us a person who’s truly nonbiased and nonpartisan. So let’s hope for the best.”

Still, the press release announcing the effort says leaders won’t necessarily select one of the applicants for the job. If you’re interested in applying, send a resume and cover letter to redistricting@palegislature.us.