Pocono Record Town Hall: Would a proposed redistricting better represent Monroe County?

Ashley Catherine Fontones, Pocono Record
·1 min read

Our next prompt, should you choose to accept it: Proposed redistricting maps are poised to make major changes to congressional districts that include the Poconos.

The House GOP proposed a citizen-drawn map that outlines which counties would form new congressional districts. The whole of Monroe County would become part of a new District 8, whereas it is currently split between districts 8 and 7.

Do you feel that this would further gerrymander our region? Or would this be a welcome change? Districts 8 and 7 are currently represented by Matt Cartwright and Susan Wild, both Democrats.

This segment of a potential redistricting map submitted by the GOP, and drawn by a citizen, proposes the whole of Monroe County join a new District 8. Monroe County is currently split between districts 8 and 7, and is represented in Congress by Matt Cartwright (D-8) and Susan Wild (D-7). District 7 includes Allentown and the Lehigh Valley.
This segment of a potential redistricting map submitted by the GOP, and drawn by a citizen, proposes the whole of Monroe County join a new District 8. Monroe County is currently split between districts 8 and 7, and is represented in Congress by Matt Cartwright (D-8) and Susan Wild (D-7). District 7 includes Allentown and the Lehigh Valley.

Participants should email submissions to be included in our next roundup, between 200 and 400 words, to Managing Editor Ashley Fontones at afontones@poconorecord.com. Please put "Town Hall" in the subject line. Pocono Record Town Halls are the new name for our Group Editorials project.

Submissions get an edit for grammar and AP style. The deadline to submit for our next Town Hall is noon on Thursday, Jan. 27.

If you aren't into sharing your thoughts, share your vote in this week's Town Hall poll. Vote online at https://poll.fm/11023083, or right here at PoconoRecord.com.

Ashley Fontones is the Managing Editor at Pocono Record. Reach her at afontones@poconorecord.com.

This article originally appeared on Pocono Record: Proposed redistricting would see Monroe County fully join District 8