On December 5, 2016 an article was published outlining a different method of fighting Gerrymandering (Link).
The following is a mockup of an actual Amendment to be proposed. Just posting here to make sure we are part of the public record...
Copies of this document are being passed around the PA Senate and other groups that are interested in this idea.
Proposed amendment to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
creating the Office of Cartographer.
Section 1. The following amendment to the Constitution of Pennsylvania is proposed in accordance with Article XI:
That section 17 of Article II be replaced with:
§ 17. Office of Cartographer
The Office of Cartographer, a state-wide elected office, is responsible for the creation of maps determining the boundaries for the Offices of: Congressperson, State Senator, and Representative to the General Assembly. There are 3 Officers, responsible for each type of map.
- · Congressional Cartographer.
- · Senatorial Cartographer.
- · Legislative Cartographer.
Eligible Officeholders
Any resident of Pennsylvania, including minors, may run for Cartographer.
Any Entity compromising of solely Pennsylvania Residents may run for this office. An Entity must register with the Department of State listing the Entity’s membership prior to the final day of Candidate withdrawal.
The term Candidate shall mean any single person or Entity aspiring to become a Cartographer.
A Candidate may run for one, two or three of these offices at the same time.
A Candidate must submit a Map comprising GIS (Geographic Information System) and matching Demographic information from the US Census to the Secretary of State (The Secretary) for the office(s) the Candidate wishes to attain.
US Census information is garnered from the final reports for the year ending in zero.
The Candidate needs to present to The Secretary 500 signatures of Pennsylvania Voters on a petition promoting their Map. Voters do not need to be a member of a political party to run for this office.
The Secretary may challenge submitted Maps for removal from consideration if a Map does not meet Federal Guidelines. Full explanation for a removal and related appeals information must accompany a removal.
The Federal Guideline for maps must be posted on The Secretary’s website no later than January 31 of a year ending in zero (0).
Candidates may appeal challenges in Federal Court.
In the case of many similar Maps being produced independently, Candidates are encouraged, but not required, to form Entities prior to the withdrawal deadline for the primary election. The Map resulting from such a merger must have been a previously submitted Map with the requisite number of signatures. A Withdrawal / Merger needs to be agreed to in notarized form by all parties. The Secretary may exercise judgment if disagreements on mergers arise. The Secretary may waive filing deadlines for proper adjudication in cases of disagreement.
All Candidates meeting the stated criteria will be considered for Primary Election.
The top 4 vote getting Primary Maps for each office is considered in a General Election.
The Secretary of State Requirements
The Secretary is required to create and maintain a web portal to house, for public use:
- · All maps submitted and related status,
- · Federal guidelines for creating jurisdictions,
- · GIS software requirements,
- · Method of submitting Candidate Maps,
- · Entity Management,
- · Election Calendar information,
- · All information on Challenged Maps,
- · Any other information deemed in the public interest with respect to this Office.
Compensation:
The winner of each Office will receive $150,000 upon certification and enactment of the winning map.
The $150,000 will be adjusted by the Legislature for inflation prior to January 31 of any year ending in zero.
The Legislature will grant the resources needed to The Secretary to carry out this task.
Election Calendar:
The Secretary shall set an election Calendar with the following minimal milestones following the release of the US Census Report for years ending in one (1):
- Jan 31 Rules Set for Federal Guidelines
- Jan 31 Compensation for Cartographers set
- Submission deadline for Maps
- (allowing time to meet Federal Standards)
- Federal Standards Approval
- First day of signature collection for Office of Cartographer
- Last day of signature collection for Office of Cartographer
- Signature Challenge Deadline
- Withdrawal Deadline
- Entity Reporting Deadline
- Primary Election for Office of Cartographer
- General Election for Office of Cartographer
- Certification of Winning Cartographers
- Disbursing of Cartographers’ compensation.
Section 2. (a) Upon the first passage by the General
Assembly of this proposed constitutional amendment, the
Secretary of the Commonwealth shall proceed immediately to
comply with the advertising requirements of section 1 of Article
XI of the Constitution of Pennsylvania and shall transmit the
required advertisements to two newspapers in every county in
which such newspapers are published in sufficient time after
passage of this proposed constitutional amendment.
(b) Upon the second passage by the General Assembly of this
proposed constitutional amendment, the Secretary of the
Commonwealth shall proceed immediately to comply with the
advertising requirements of section 1 of Article XI of the
Constitution of Pennsylvania and shall transmit the required
advertisements to two newspapers in every county in which such
newspapers are published in sufficient time after passage of
this proposed constitutional amendment. The Secretary of the
Commonwealth shall submit this proposed constitutional amendment
to the qualified electors of this Commonwealth at the first
primary, general or municipal election which meets the
requirements of and is in conformance with section 1 of Article
XI of the Constitution of Pennsylvania and which occurs at least
three months after the proposed constitutional amendment is
passed by the General Assembly.