Lines in the Sand
The image shows the current contours of Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District, the electoral division in which I vote. Below is the district as it appeared for several years in the mid-2010s,1 when it was strategically drawn around specific populations of voters — that is, unlawfully “gerrymandered” — so the state’s ruling party could win as many districts as possible.2 “2024 Congressional Republican Primary Election in Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District, results by county." Illustration by Coolxsearcher1414. Licensed for public use with Creative Commons.3 “2012 Pennsylvania's 7th congressional district election results by county." Illustration by Ohaiyoan124. Licensed for public use with Creative Commons.4 WHYY deemed the 7th District “one of the nation’s most gerrymandered” districts,5 while The New York Times referred to it as “comically drawn.”6 Per Business Insider, “Voters … nicknamed the shape … ‘Goofy kicking Donald Duck.’”7Pennsylvania’s pro-Rep...