Election districts in Pennsylvania are a sight to behold. In the Pittsburgh region, Legislative District 16 starts in Beaver County and snakes down through part of Franklin Park, part of Ross and Bellevue, finally ending at the river's edge. Districts 20 and 21 each include parts of Ross and Reserve and several city wards. These monstrosities ostensibly were created to eliminate District 29, punishing its then-incumbent for defying the state House leadership.

Ross is divided among four House districts. Other municipalities, such as Bethel Park, Collier, Robinson, Plum and South Fayette, are split between two districts.

How does this happen? Every 10 years after the U.S. census, redistricting is done to account for population shifts. It is a hotly partisan insider's game that is ignored by most citizens. The Pennsylvania Constitution gives legislative leaders (who also lead their respective political parties) exclusive power to draw General Assembly district boundaries. Because the process is bipartisan, the outcome usually is fair to both parties overall. However, these leaders can and do collude to create safe districts for incumbents and party members, and to occasionally punish a legislator. This is known as bipartisan gerrymandering.

Gerrymandering makes elections less competitive, which breeds voter apathy and reduces civic participation. Why become involved when the result is predetermined? Why volunteer or vote? Why become a candidate to lose?

Gerrymandering also contributes to the division and gridlock dominating political discourse in recent years. When a safe district disenfranchises the opposing party, favored candidates have no need to reach out to swing voters or engage in the bipartisan negotiation and compromise often needed to solve pressing problems, such as access to quality education or affordable health care.

To correct this situation requires a constitutional amendment, which entails a long process. A bill to amend the state constitution must pass two sessions of the Legislature and then be approved by voters. For this to happen in time for the redistricting after the 2010 census, a bill must pass by the end of this month (because of some constitutionally mandated legal advertising that must occur this fall).

Two bills to accomplish this currently languish in the Legislature. Senate Bill 346 has been tabled by the Senate State Government Committee. House Bill 2420 has been removed from the agenda of the House State Government Committee.

These bills would require that the Pennsylvania Legislative Reference Bureau draw district lines using strict criteria for mapping, transparency and public input. Public input would be coordinated by a five-member temporary Redistricting Advisory Commission, which could not include current office holders or anyone related to or employed by members of Congress or the General Assembly. The General Assembly would vote on the plan under a rule prohibiting amendments.

No district could be drawn for the purpose of favoring a political party, incumbent legislator or member of Congress or other person. Data concerning voter registration and voter performance, as well as home addresses of legislators, could not be considered.

Now is the time for Pennsylvanians to demand true reform with the passage of one of these bills. The League of Women Voters of Greater Pittsburgh knows that if maps can be drawn to create political advantage, they can also be drawn to promote fairness and democracy.

Contact your state representatives and senators today and voice your support for HB 2420 and for identical language in 346. Visit www.palwv.org to find out how to contact your legislators and for additional information. Time is running out.