House Majority Leader Pete Schwartzkopf (D-Rehoboth) calls himself “a product” of the 2000 census that created a new 14th House district downstate.
However, he has never liked the way it was drawn.
“The town of Dewey Beach was separated out of the new 14th district for political reasons, “ Schwartzkopf says, adding that people who used to walk or ride a bike to their polling place now have to drive up to twelve miles.
“So, a lot of them don’t vote.”
The boundaries are just one factor as the General Assembly takes up the complicated task of redistricting.
Under the 2010 census, each of Delaware’s 41 representative districts must contain an average of 21,900 residents, within plus-or-minus five-percent. Boundaries are to be set by major roads, streams or other natural borders, and districts are “not to be created so as to unduly favor any person or political party.”
When possible, every effort must be made to retain the four majority-minority districts, where minorities make up more than half of the population.
Schwartzkopf says numerous rules are in place that need to be followed, while at the same time technological breakthroughs during the decade since the last census make it possible to involve Delawareans in the process more than ever before.
A four-week public comment period is already underway, during which residents can express their concerns and ask questions.
Comments and queries may be addressed by mail to the State House of Representatives, 411 Legislative Avenue, Dover DE 19901, or by e-mail to house..us.
Suggestions, comments and questions are due by April 29. The House will complete a draft redistricting proposal which will be the topic of a public hearing sometime between May 16 and 30, during the General Assembly’s two-week break. Comments from that hearing will also be taken into account as the House further develops its proposal.
The redistricting process, including the opportunities for public comment, were contained in House Resolution 10, sponsored by all 41 House members and passed unanimously Tuesday.
By law, redistricting legislation must be passed by June 30.
Delaware House of Representatives Leadership on the Redistricting Process
House Majority leader Peter Schwartzkopf (D-Rehoboth Beach) looks forward to receiving public input
House Majority leader Peter Schwartzkopf (D-Rehoboth Beach) is committed to drawing district line dispassionately
House Minority leader Gregory Lavelle (R-Sharpley) expects a much different process that the last round of redistricting 10 years ago.
“We are under statute to finish by June 30th, and I’m going to make every effort I can to get it done before June 30th,” Schwartzkopf says. “I don’t plan to come back for a special session to work on redistricting.”
The Senate also opened the process of redrawing its districts, according to President pro tem Anthony DeLuca (D-Newark). His bill being considered this week would take public involvement a step further by requiring that any caucus meetings that deal with redistricting be open for the public.
Democrats control both houses of the General Assembly, holding a 26 – 15 advantage in the House and a majority of 14 – 7 in the Senate.
Republicans led the House the last time legislative districts were redrawn.
As the population grows more quickly in central and southern Delaware, the impact of redistricting may be felt the most in New Castle County.
House Minority Leader Gregory Lavelle (R-Sharpley) says his party will have input on the drawing of the new maps. He and Schwartzkopf are in agreement that the process must be done openly, with fairness, and with the goal of avoiding the kind of court battles that delayed the process for months ten years ago.
This time around, there is new technology, including map-making software, and an active effort to seek the input of Delawareans.
“That will make it actually a better process, because it will be more public,” Lavelle says.
It is not often that an elected official’s actions are felt for an entire decade, and Schwartzkopf recognizes the implications.
“Redistricting should never be a process for rewarding or punishing anybody. This is by the numbers, trying to do it as fair as possible, and trying to maintain as much as possible consistency and normalcy for the citizens of our state,” Schwartzkopf says.
“I know it sounds corny as hell, but that’s how I feel.”
Some Delaware lawmakers want to expand current parental notification requirements that involve minors who seek to obtain an abortion.
Under House Bill 80, anyone under 18 would be required to seek parental consent before an abortion. Current law states that anyone 16 or under must notify a parent or guardian.
Senator Robert Venables (D- Laurel) and House Minority Leader Gregory Lavelle (R-Sharpley) say the legislation was introduced in response to the case of Dr. Kermit Gosnell of Philadelphia, who faces murder charges in connection with seven alleged late-term abortions and the death of one female patient. Gosnell also practiced at Atlantic Women’s Medical Services in Wilmington.
The bill also incorporates new language borrowed from the Pennsylvania Abortion Control Act, which withstood a review in the U.S. Supreme Court. 27 states have enacted forms of parental consent laws, according to the National Council of State Legislatures.
