Pennsylvania redraws 'unconstitutional' political boundaries in potential boost to Democrats

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has released a new configuration of Congressional districts which could provide the Democrats with a boost in the upcoming midterm elections.

The reshaping of political boundaries represents the latest phase in a years-long political battle. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled earlier this year that districts crafted by the Republican majority were unconstitutional and sought to give the GOP “a lasting electoral advantage”, backing plaintiffs who alleged the maps were drawn to undermine Democratic candidates.

Democratic Governor Tom Wolf subsequently refused a new map drawn by Republicans, who in turn repudiated a proposed map from Mr Wolf as a “ridiculously hypocritical and a partisan move to help Nancy Pelosi, the DNC and Pennsylvania Democrats steal Pennsylvania congressional seats”. The disagreement put the matter in the hands of the court.

By rejecting Republican-drawn districts and issuing new maps intended to be more balanced, the court sent a charge through the politic landscape of a perennial swing state months out from November elections.

Democrats hope they will be able to wrest the House of Representatives from Republican control – Republicans currently hold 13 out of Pennsylvania’s 18 House seats – and some analysts said the new maps would benefit Democrats.

“The early indications are that this is a much more competitive map which will help the Democrats compared to the gerrymandered maps drawn by the Republican legislature,” election law analyst Rick Hasen wrote.

The new map was “actively helping Dems compensate for their natural geographic disadvantage,” analyst Dave Wasserman of the nonpartisan Cook Political Report said on Twitter.

“Make no mistake: this is the PA map Dems wanted,” he wrote.

Republicans have said they plan to challenge the new map in court. The prospect of continued legal wrangling injects uncertainty into the plan to have new districts in place in time for May primary elections.