The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that the state’s congressional map is unconstitutional.
The decision is a major victory for Democrats. They complained that the redistricting in Pennsylvania was a result of gerrymandering to benefit Republicans.
Gerrymandering is a practice of manipulating the boundaries of an electoral constituency for the benefit of a particular party. Pennsylvania
In its ruling on Monday, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court said the electoral map “clearly, plainly and palpably violates” the state’s Constitution. The high court ordered the Republican-controlled legislature to redraw the state’s congressional map.
The legislature has until February 8 to pass a plan and send it to Governor Tom Wolf for approval. The deadline for the governor to submit it to the court is on February 15.
Pennsylvania is one of the most gerrymandered states in the country, according to political experts.
Pennsylvania GOP leaders to appeal the ruling
The state’s Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman and Senate President Pro Tempore Jose Scarnati said the court’s deadline is “impossible.” They intend to appeal the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court.
