Pennsylvania Overview

Redistricting Process: In Pennsylvania, redistricting legislative districts is the duty of a Legislative Reapportionment Commission. As laid out in Article II, Section 17 of the Pennsylvania Constitution, the Legislative Reapportionment Commission must draw up a restricting plan for the General Assembly within 90 days of its formation. The Legislative Reapportionment Commission consists of five members. The four legislative members of the commission are the House and Senate majority and minority leaders or their designates. These four members have 45 days to select the fifth member (and chairperson) of the commission, who cannot be a legislator. If the four other members cannot select a fifth member by the established deadline, the state supreme court appoints the fifth commission member. Once the commission is established, it has 90 days to draw new district lines.  Once the plan is completed, it can be challenged for up to 30 days. If any challenges are sustained by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, the commission must edit its maps to incorporate the changes. Once the plan is finalized, it immediately takes the force of law.

Pennsylvania Congressional redistricting is done by the legislature through the normal bill process, and subject to a signature or veto by the governor.