How to get credit

Democracy Digital Scavenger Hunt

Before you dive into redistricting, make sure you understand the basics of democracy in the United States and Pennsylvania.

Contest deadline extended until end of summer

By DTL Staff

Draw the Lines as a resource during COVID-19

Web videos: What is gerrymandering?

PA Map Day cancelled; DTL will look to assist with online education

DTL Staff

Sam Stella (Pine Richland H.S., Allegheny County) - 1st Place, Statewide Youth

Team Triple A Batteries (Masterman H.S., Philadelphia) - 2nd Place, Statewide Youth

Ryan Cedzo (Gannon University) - 1st Place, Statewide Higher Ed

Team TomBen (Drexel University) - 2nd Place, Statewide Higher Ed

Join us at the Capitol on March 18 for PA Map Day

DTL Staff

David Thornburgh speaks in the Capitol Rotunda during the DTL awards event last September.

Sarah Buranskas (Pittsburgh) - 1st Place, Statewide Adult

Sara Stroman (Philadelphia) - 2nd Place (tied), Statewide Adult

Athan Biss (Bryn Mawr) - 2nd Place (tied), Statewide Adult

William Billingsley (Wilkes University) - 1st Place, PA House of Representatives

Blyden Potts (Cumberland County) - 2nd Place, PA House of Representatives

Blyden Potts (Cumberland County) - 1st Place, PA Senate

Nathaniel Ropski (Erie County) - 2nd Place, PA Senate

Concerned Citizens for Democracy (Philadelphia) - HM, PA Senate

Kyle Hynes (Centre County) - HM, PA Senate

Billy Gardiner (Roman Catholic H.S., Philadelphia) - 2nd Place, East Youth

The Anti-Gerrymandering Gals (Cumberland Valley H.S.) - 2nd Place, West Youth

Josh Weisman (Penn State) - 1st Place, East Higher Ed

Carter Hanson (Gettysburg College) - 2nd Place, West Higher Ed

Vivian Chau (Manheim Township H.S., Lancaster County) - Honorable Mention, East Youth

Team Winning District (Masterman H.S., Philadelphia) - Honorable Mention, East Youth

Amy Worden of York Springs

Amy Worden is central PA education coordinator for Draw the Lines PA

Ben Neithardt (West Chester East H.S.) - Honorable Mention, East Youth

Ellery Schlorff (Great Valley H.S., Chester County) - Honorable Mention, East Youth

Ryan Buchko (Harry S. Truman H.S., Bucks County) - Honorable Mention, Eastern Youth

Team Jasmine, Layla, and Bianca (Cedar Cliff H.S., Cumberland County) - Honorable Mention, West Youth

DTL helps Girl Scouts launch a 'fun patch' on elections and civics

Amy Worden

Team Tara and Mary (Delone Catholic H.S., Adams County) - Honorable Mention, West Youth

Christiana Paljug (Fox Chapel Area H.S., Allegheny County) - Honorable Mention, West Youth

Team Grace and Mary Caroline (Delone Catholic H.S., Adams County) - Honorable Mention, West Youth

Lauren Ban (Pitt) - Honorable Mention, West Higher Ed

Ryan Guo (Drexel University) - Honorable Mention, East Higher Ed

Collin Stickler (Lebanon Valley College) - Honorable Mention, East Higher Ed

Anna Simpson (Drexel University) - Honorable Mention, East Higher Ed

Borna Ganji (Gettysburg College) - Honorable Mention, West Higher Ed

Team Dave 'n' Dave (Gettysburg College) - Honorable Mention, West Higher Ed

Pengzhen Wang (Gettysburg College) - Honorable Mention, West Higher Ed

Andrew Woan (Penn State) - Honorable Mention, West Higher Ed

Alex Yarkosky (Allegheny College) - PA Senate Semifinalist

Anthony Miller (Mercyhurst University) - PA Senate Semifinalist

Carter Hanson (Gettysburg College) - PA Senate Semifinalist

Gavin Wilkerson and Emma Scali (Mercyhurst University) - PA Senate Semifinalist

Claire Koessler, Haley Barletta and Molly Kennedy (Mercyhurst University) - PA Senate Semifinalist

Gregory Chang and William Billingsley (Wilkes University) - PA Senate Semifinalist

Isabelle Brewer and Luke Sveda (Mercyhurst University) - PA Senate Semifinalist

Maya Sullum (Abington Heights HS) - PA Senate Semifinalist

Nathaniel Dick (Manheim Township HS) - PA Senate Semifinalist

Robby Timpane (Mercyhurst University) - PA Senate Semifinalist

Samuel Kolins (Lebanon Valley College) - PA Senate Semifinalist

Scott Friedman (Chatham University) - PA Senate Semifinalist

Kyle Hynes (State College Area HS) - PA House Semifinalist

Nathaniel Ropski (Erie) - PA House Semifinalist

Steven Baksa (Penn State University) - PA House Semifinalist

The maps are in; what comes next?

Chris Satullo

5 great reasons to finish and submit your map, plus instructions on submitting

Chris Satullo

Draw the Lines earns two national honors

DTL Staff

New video recounts a very special day in the life of a DTL mapper

DTL Staff

Logan Ford

Send your map to your legislator

You've done a map. Now print it and drop it in the mail to your legislator.

Girl Scouts Fun Patch activities

The Girl Scouts in the Heart of PA partnered with DTL to offer fun patch activities for all ages around legislative mapping.

Analyzing Polls on Gerrymandering – What do the people think?

What do people think about this issue?

Mercyhurst student wins DTL People's Choice award

DTL Staff

Logan Ford of Mercyhurst University

State Champion, Youth: Kyle Hynes, State College Area HS

Draw the Lines reveals, hails its statewide winners at Capitol event

DTL Staff

State Champion, Higher-Ed: Logan Ford, Mercyhurst University

State Champion, Adult: Nathaniel Ropski, Erie

DTL Launches 2019 Fall Competition

State Runner-Up, Youth: Isabel Holland & Julia Poulson-Houser, Abington Heights HS

State Runner-Up, Youth: Jack Rosenthal, Allderdice HS

State Runner-Up, Higher-Ed: Matthew Granito, Gettysburg College

State Runner-Up, Adult: Adam Dusen, New Hope

List of Spring 2019 Contest Winners

Commentary: Give the 'Pa. Plan' for redistricting reform a chance

Chris Satullo

Meet us at the Capitol this Tuesday

DTL Staff

Act 48 training

Teachers: Need Act 48 hours. Draw the Lines offers free one-hour trainings on our project-based civics and STEM curriculum.

Bell Ringer: Important issues that impact my life

This 5 minute opening activity leads to a short discussion about how gerrymandering prevents action on issues that impact students' lives.

Video Analysis - 3-2-1 Notes

This three-minute video gives students the very basics on gerrymandering.

PA Redistricting Reform Commission releases report

After months of traveling the state hearing testimony from hundreds of Pennsylvanians, here's what they recommend.

Puzzle: Put PA Back Together

What did PA's old congressional map look like? A wooden puzzle for students to put together brings to life the crazy shapes these districts become.

Intro discussion and videos: Gerrymandering explained

Grab students attention with an important question. Then introduce redistricting and gerrymandering with one of these short videos.

The United States Census

The census is foundational for representative democracy. Why is it so important to be counted?

Make your voice heard

Whether its on gerrymandering or another issue, this lesson teaches students how to be active citizens.

Four Corners Activity

Students: Agree or disagree with these statements? Explain why.

Read 'Harrisburg, we have a problem'

Read one of our intros from Gerrymandering 101

Video: Amanda Holt, Pennsylvania's citizen mapper

This five-minute video demonstrates the power of one person to make a difference by drawing a map.

What if the gerrymander had bit James Madison?

DTL Staff

Teacher's Tale: Jason Burke of Abington Heights H.S.

DTL Staff

Jason Burke in his classroom at Abington Heights High School near Scranton.

Video: The Amanda Holt Story

Video: Roman Catholic High's John Corrigan share the strenghts of DTL lessons

Video: Draw the Lines visits STEM Scholars to talk gerrymandering

Video: Pro-tips for using Districtbuilder

Role playing as political consultant

Student handout that simply and graphically demonstrates what gerrymandering is and does.

Review the Draw the Lines competition rules

All finished maps are eligible for the Draw the Lines mapping competition, to win the $5,000 grand prize or many smaller awards.

People's Choice Contest, Spring 2019

Teacher-led discussion: Why redistricting impacts your life

First, ask students about what political issues do they care about. Then pick one, and as a class trace out why Pennsylvanians aren't getting what they want out of Harrisburg or Washington.

Flashes of Insight

Which values are most important when drawing a map? This popular activity gets students to think about the motivations for why voting districts have their crazy shapes.

View mapping demos

There are two ways to get oriented to the DistrictBuilder mapping tool: a written User Guide, and an instructional video.

Connect the Dots teaching materials

Teacher's guide and student handout leads students through role-playing activity to teach how legislators make districts and courts can overturn them.

A guide to valuable resources on gerrymandering

DTL Staff

Students can dig deep into the implications of Gerrymandering in our curated list of some of the best online materials.

What to do to get Act 48 credit

These are the steps for Pennsylvania teachers who want to get development credit under Act 48 for Draw The Lines Pa work.

Exercise uses imagination to demystify gerrymandering

Takes the intimidation factor out of gerrymandering by making it like finding dragons in clouds overhead. Materials include a teaching guide and student handout with the outline of some of Pennsylvania's most notorious gerrymanders.

Understanding the census exercise

Two-part lesson guides students through the basics of a census, why it is necessary, and whether people feel comfortable participating in it. Includes video resources. Includes reflective writing and group work.

Option A: Finish a nearly completed starter map

The quicker way to complete a map. Start with a nearly complete template, and as a class or individually, students can complete PA's final few districts.

Option B: Draw a blank map

Students can start from scratch and draw an original map of PA. Mapping usually takes 3-5 hours, so give your students time.

Share maps with your legislator

Students have drawn a map. Now help them share it with their legislators.

Complete DTL impact survey

Once students have completed the unit (however far you got is fine), we ask that they complete DTL’s short survey to help us understand the impact this project is having.

Homework: Ask someone

Students can strike up a dialogue with family or friends... what do they know about gerrymandering?

DTL announces the honorees from its spring mapping competition

By DTL Staff

SCOTUS' call on gerrymandering does not undo or thwart progress that PA has made

Chris Satullo

Rachel Himmel, 1st, Youth-West

Andrew Woan, 2nd, Youth-Central

Team Abby and Maddie, 2nd, Youth-East

Team 'Main-Line Line Drawers,' 2nd, Youth-East

Justin Breen, Honorable Mention, Youth-West

Rachel Harter, Honorable Mention, Youth-West

Sofia Porter Bacon, Honorable Mention, Youth-West

Chase Cunningham, Honorable Mention, Youth-Central

Andrew Woan, Honorable Mention, Youth-Central

Team 'The Americans,' Honorable Mention, Youth-Central

Team 'Lithuania Is Fake,' Honorable Mention, Youth-Central

Team Hamilton and Natale, Honorable Mention, Youth-East

Team Lauren and Jordin, Honorable Mention, Youth-East

Team '17 Districts Going on 18,' Honorable Mention, Youth-East

Michael Rodyushkin, Honorable Mention, Youth-East

Robert Woltjen and Anthony Hays, Honorable Mention, Youth-East

Derek Nguyen, Honorable Mention, Youth-East

Team Wilkes University, 1st, Higher Ed-East & Central

What comes next after Map Day

Chris Satullo

How the judging of maps and awarding of prizes will unfold.

DTL finds a warm welcome in Northeast PA

Chris Satullo

Miranda Henry, 2nd, Higher Ed-West

Madelynne Collins, 2nd, Higher Ed-East & Central

Team 'Wild Card,' Honorable Mention, Higher Ed-West

Sydney Gondringer, Honorable Mention, Higher Ed-West

Alex Yarkosky, Honorable Mention, Higher Ed-West

Admir Barucija, Honorable Mention, Higher Ed-West

ICYMI: The hits just keep on coming; court tosses the Ohio congressional map

DTL Staff

Victoria Tran, Honorable Mention, Higher Ed-East & Central

Gregory Burns, Honorable Mention, Higher Ed-East & Central

Josh Weisman, Honorable Mention, Higher Ed-East & Central

Team 'The District Avengers,' Honorable Mention, Higher Ed-East & Central

Joseph Amodei and Rachel Karp, 1st, Adult-West

Jesse Stowell, 1st, Adult-Central

Countdown: One month to Map Day

Chris Satullo

ICYMI: A huge ruling against gerrymandering in Mich.

DTL staff

A new contest is coming! 6 great reasons to make your own map

Chris Satullo

Delone Catholic students, teachers honored for model engagement

DTL Staff

Anne Hanna (for Team CCFD), 1st, Adult-East

Blyden Potts, 2nd, Adult-Central

Subscribe now on iTunes

Team CCAC-South, Honorable Mention, Adult-West

Video Peek: Draw the Lines, The Podcast

Video: Fall 2018 Awards Ceremony in 111 seconds

Staff

PA redistricting panel launches statewide listening tour

Chris Satullo

DTL's spring mapping competition at a glance

Chris Satullo

Michael Smith, Honorable Mention, Adult-Central

William Doody, Honorable Mention, Adult-Central

Team Lebanon Six, Honorable Mention, Adult-Central

Carol Kuniholm, Honorable Mention, Adult-East

Adam Dusen, Honorable Mention, Adult-East

Philip Hensley, Honorable Mention, Adult-East

ICYMI: The big N.C. and Md. cases go back to the high court

Chris Satullo

Episode 1: Dude, Who Stole My Seat? Jason Altmire Hunts Answers

Jason Altmire was the chief victim of the Pennsylvania’s Great Gerrymander of 2011. In this episode, he explains how he lost a seat in Congress after three terms through diabolically subtle line-drawing, aimed at setting him up to lose his own party’s primary. He also lays out vividly how gerrymandering is causing the slow death of the center in our national politics.

Lawmakers praise Roman Catholic High mappers for model engagement

Chris Satullo

Who's endorsed your map?

Learn how to recruit endorsers for your map.

A new twist for mappers: Rack up 'endorsements' for your map

Chris Satullo

Episode 2 — For the Love of Mike: Bryan Miller Fights Back

Gerrymanders aren’t just wacky lines on a map. By empowering ideologues and special interests, they thwart the commonsense solutions to tough issues that are favored by strong majorities of Americans. Gun violence protection is one such issue. Meet Bryan Miller, whose quest to redeem the murder of his brother Mike led him to big successes in one state capitol, but defeats and frustration in another. The difference between the two buildings, just a hundred miles apart: gerrymandering.

Episode 3: From Ratf***ed to Unrigged: David Daley Discovers Hope

David Daley wrote the book on how gerrymandering undermines democracy. He gave it a profane title and a depressing epilogue tinged with despair about America’s future. He’s got a new book now. In it, he joyfully details how the final chapter of his earlier book is being proved wrong. Let Daley take you on a journey across America to meet the everyday heroes whose savvy, DIY activism is spreading the fire of reform.

Episode 4 — Gerrymander Never Knew What Hit It: Ben Geffen Saves America

OK, we exaggerate somewhat. But Ben Geffen was a key player on the legal team that won the first court case that overturned for good a notorious 2011 gerrymander. Geffen’s tale takes you behind closed doors to learn how a band of determined citizens and public-interest lawyers stunned political insiders. They used a novel legal theory to convince the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to toss out the state’s notorious, “Donald Duck kicks Goofy” congressional map. The new map put in its place then fueled the “blue wave” of the 2018 mid-terms.

Episode 5 - From Snowball to Avalanche: Carol Kuniholm Steps Up

When Carol Kuniholm stood up in a Philadelphia church on frigid evening in January 2017, she didn’t feel she was about to launch a movement. She just felt deep stage fright. Then, she started talking. And, with every word she told that packed sanctuary, the gerrymander got a little less secure in his lair. If you can slay the gerrymander in one of America’s most reform-allergic states, you can do it anywhere. Kuniholm hasn’t finished the quest yet, but she’s not done trying.

Episode 6 — And a Child Shall Lead Them: Kyle Hynes Schools His Elders

There's never been a competition quite like it before. When Draw the Lines PA set out to prove that regular folks could draw election maps better than the political pros, many scoffed. Other shrugged. They hadn’t met Kyle Hynes, a 15-year-old from the place known as Happy Valley, who knows more about the Voting Rights Act than plenty of congresspeople. Hynes won $5,000 for his congressional map of Pennsylvania, one of 318 entered in the biggest public mapping contest in the nation’s history. He’s a walking, talking rebuke to the notion that only expert partisans can draw election maps.

Common Problems and Their Remedies

If you read one entry in our help system, make it this one.

Media statewide take note of DTL initiative and its honored mappers

Chris Satullo

David Thornburgh, CEO of the Committee of Seventy, speaks at the event.

Spring entry deadline extended to May 31

Chris Satullo

The extra time will help high school teachers use DTL as a classroom resource.

We're roaming PA again, making maps and mischief

DTL Staff

We're holding a bunch of events to explain gerrymandering and show you our cool digital mapping tool.

Why I see gerrymandering as a sin that people of faith should oppose

Rev. Jarrett Kerbel

Big news from VA: Lawmakers approve independent redistricting commission

Chris Satullo

Teacher's Tale: Thomas Baldino, Wilkes University

Chris Satullo

Thomas Baldino has been teaching political science and American government for four decades, including 28 years at Wilkes University.

State Champion, Youth: Kyle Hynes

State Champion, Higher-Ed: Team Geography 421, Penn State

State Champion, Adult: Philip Hensley

State Runner-up, Adult: Blyden Potts

State Runner-up, Higher Ed: Team Wilkes

State Runner-up, Youth: Jack Rosenthal

The Superb Six: Hail to our 3 state champion mappers and the 3 runners-up

Chris Satullo

State College and Drexel Hill rocked the house in Harrisburg as Draw the Lines named its 2018 champion mappers

All the Fall 2018 Winners

Staff

The Teacher's Tale: Julia Fuhrman, Delone Catholic

Chris Satullo

A Catholic school teacher embraces DTL as a lesson in D.I.Y. democracy

Yes, it's mapping time again, Pennsylvania

Chris Satullo

Draw the Lines launches it's second citizen mapping competition.

Michael Waxenberg, Honorable Mention, Adult-East

Spring 2019 Youth secondary test

Penn State class relied on taco power to finish its winning map

Chris Satullo

Nisan Novack, Honorable Mention, Higher Ed-East

Nicholas Saylor, Honorable Mention Youth-East

Judging the maps: How we did it

Chris Satullo

Justin Villere, DTL's chief of staff, hard at work evaluating maps

Colin Long, 1st, Youth-East

Emily Thayer, Honorable Mention, Higher Ed-West

Elise Lashinsky, 1st, Higher Ed-Central

Team KathJessMPP, Temple University, 1st, Higher Ed-East

Scott Friedman, 1st, Higher Ed-West

Marisa Nowicki, 1st, Adult-West

Derek Nguyen, 2nd, Youth-East

Lauren Craig, 2nd, Youth-Central

Team Bullseye, Mercyhurst University, 2nd, Higher Ed-West

Jesse Stowell, 2nd, Adult-Central

Adam Dusen, 2nd, Adult-East (co-winner)

Sara Stroman, 2nd, Adult-East (co-winner)

Julian Dech, 2nd, Adult-West (co-winner)

Nathaniel Ropski, 2nd, Adult-West (co-winner)

ICYMI: Maryland backs citizen mapping as U.S. Supreme Court prepares to hear cases

Don Henry

As the Supreme Court becomes more conservative, some fear that key weapons in the fight for fairer districts could be struck down.

ICYMI: DTL in the news and the 'empire' strikes back

Chris Satullo

In several state capitols, elected officials continue to try to thwart or undo redistricting reforms that voters just approved.

Samuel Babins, Honorable Mention, Youth-West

Blyden Potts, Honorable Mention, Adult-Central

Benjamin Winn, Honorable Mention, Higher Ed-Central

Matt Granito, Honorable Mention, Higher Ed-Central

Oliver Rose, Honorable Mention, Higher Ed-Central

Team Team Oops, Delone Catholic, Honorable Mention, Youth-Central

Rachel Matto, Honorable Mention, Youth-Central

Kara Szczublewski, Honorable Mention, Higher Ed-West

Ethan Wagner, Honorable Mention, Higher Ed-West

Team Concerned Citizens for Democracy, Concerned Citizens for Democracy, Honorable Mention, Adult-East

Gillian Terlecky, Honorable Mention Higher Ed-East

Douglas Cummings, Honorable Mention, Higher Ed-East

Team McGranery Initiative, Honorable Mention Youth-East

Team 1 Man District, Roman Catholic High School, Honorable Mention, Youth-East

Jessica Forsell of Doylestown

Jessica Forsell of Doylestown believes more competition in politics will lead to more responsive government and a more civil public square.

ICYMI: Bipartisan ire foils N.J. Dems' gerrymandering scheme

Chris Satullo

A grassroots uprising by both red and blue sources made Trenton power brokers back off a distinctly partisan redistricting "reform."

Maps are in; judges now begin weighing which ones are the best

Chris Satullo

The basics of a district map

You can't draw a valid map without this information.

The Mapper's Tale: Eric Stahl of Washington, D.C.

Chris Satullo

When Eric Stahl of Washington, D.C., sat down with DistrictBuilder to create his DTL map, he already knew a bunch about redistricting. But he still faced some surprisingly hard choices as he tried to craft a map that favored the compactness goal.

Rules for the PA Congressional Mapping Competition for Spring 2020

Everything you need to know about how the DTL competition

Minimum hardware and software requirements

Computers or tablets are fine. Modern browsers required.

ICYMI: That didn't take long; partisan squabbling over new redistricting panel begins

Chris Satullo

Last Wednesday, Gov. Wolf named David Thornburgh, CEO of the Committee of Seventy and leader of Draw the Lines PA, to head a new advisory panel tasked with suggesting redistricting reforms. The commission is already caught in a partisan crossfire, as Republican leaders take aim.

The Mappers' Tale: The Waxenberg Family of Lords Valley

Chris Satullo

Michael Waxenberg of Pike County got really interested in gerrymandering during the Pennsylvania court case last winter. He was the head geek in his family, but when he enlisted his daughters to help do a Draw the Lines map, one of them asked the genius question that showed the Waxenbergs the path to their map.

DTL's Thornburgh to head governor's new redistricting reform panel

Chris Satullo

David Thornburgh will chair panel on redistricting reform.

The Mapper's Tale: Rachel Matto of Manheim Township

Chris Satullo

Student mapper Rachel Matto worked hard to keep populations equal and avoid county splits on her map, but said that overall it was 'fun and simple.'

ICYMI: While Maryland squabbles, Utah progresses

DTL Staff

Maneuvering to undo Clean Missouri reforms has begun

Chris Satullo

Missouri lawmakers are already making noises about trying to overturn the will of the voters who overwhelming approved the Clean Missouri reform package at the polls.

Photos: Saving democracy one pizza at a time

DTL Staff

On a miserable, rainy night, 30 people turned out at the Media-Upper Providence Library to learn how to map a new course for legislative districts.

The Mapper's Tale: BJ Ellis of Shillington

Chris Satullo

A mapper from Berks County talks about how hard he found it to do the map he wanted without splitting county lines.

ICYMI: SCOTUS back in the gerrymandering headlines

Don Henry

In Maryland an inter-party brawl is developing over the appeal, while racial concerns are at the center of the Virginia case.

What the mid-terms meant for reform in PA

Chris Satullo

An analysis of how the mid-term election results in Pennsylvania affect the quest to slay the gerrymander.

DTL barnstorming tour hits all corners of PA

Chris Satullo

Fairer voting a bipartisan winner in midterms

Don Henry

How to host a DTL mapping party

Chris Satullo

Here's how to make fixing democracy fun. Draw the Lines offers its guide to hosting a raucous mapping party at your home.

Let's shake on it, OK?

Don Henry

Every productive relationship needs some ground rules.

Signing up

Follow this tutorial to avoid frustration and submit a successful map.

Exploring DistrictBuilder’s interface

Familiarize yourself the controls, icon and displays.

Richard Frey, Philadelphia

Inspired by his father to never give up.

Dave Davies of Philadelphia

A journalist who has spent decades trying to move democracy out of backrooms.

ICYMI - Barnstorming, quelling a 'blue wave' and Better Boundaries

Chris Satullo

A review of the week's news about DTL and the issue of gerrymandering.

Completing your first map

You've toured the functionality of DistrictBuilder and know what you have to do. Time to draw a map.

Draw a starter map

Don't have time to do a full map from scratch? Try finishing one that is close to done.

Lawrence Husick of Tredyffrin Township

How did Lawrence Husick's Passover table combine with Ben Franklin's challenge to produce an anti-gerrymandering champion? (Video)

DistrictBuilder Pro Tip Videos

These short videos will give you a leg up on drawing your congressional map.

What are good scores?

This will give you an idea of targets to hit for your mapping values.

Draw the Lines PA updates competition rules

Justin Villere, DTL Chief of Staff

The Mapper's Tale: Douglas Campbell of Philadelphia

Chris Satullo

One of the first Pennsylvanians to finish a map on DistrictBuilder gives a wealth of tips on how to make the tool work for you.

Lesson 1: Redistricting in the United States

In this lesson you will: explore how shifts in population determine the way representation is apportioned and explain how voters are apportioned in voting districts.

Mark Schweiker of Langhorne

Mark Schweiker, former governor of Pennsylvania and a Draw the Lines PA committee co-chair, talks about who inspired him to public service and his concerns for democracy.

Lesson 2: Redistricting in Pennsylvania

Students will learn to read and analyze a secondary source on Pennsylvania’s voting lines, think critically about motivations and incentives when legislators draw the maps, simulate the legislative and commission process and map their own.

Lesson 3: How to Gerrymander a Map

Students will be able to define “gerrymandering,” examine and analyze the impact of gerrymandering, participate in a simulation to understand how gerrymandering works and influences on politics.

ICYMI: DTL barnstorming tour attracts media attention

The Draw the Lines Team

The week in media, with coverage of DTL's launch and updates on redistricting reform in Missouri, Michigan and Virginia.

ICYMI: The latest on redistricting

Chris Satullo

A surprising proposal in Pennsylvania, a legal setback in Missouri and a stubborn effort in Wisconsin top the list.

Chris Satullo of Philadelphia

At least once before he dies, Chris Satullo would like to see democracy in his adopted state work the way his Dad taught him it was supposed to work.

Mariam Sayeed of Pittsburgh

Mariam Sayeed believes voters' choices on who should represent our communities become crucial when it comes to decisions about education, health care and safety. She's begun to understand how these decisions are affected by gerrymandering.

DTL launches with statewide barnstorming tour

Chris Satullo

Draw the Lines PA launches this fall with a new website, a new mapping tool and a 20-plus event barnstorming tour of the state.

David Thornburgh of Philadelphia

The leader of Draw the Lines traces its roots to the inspiration he finds in the Jimmy Stewart films he's loved since his youth.

Linda Breitstein of Bala Cynwyd

As a child of Jewish refugees who barely escaped from World War II with their lives, Linda Breitstein grew up witnessing how precious the right to a meaningful vote could be.

DTL launches initiative with statewide barnstorming tour

Chris Satullo

The statewide civic education and engagement project launches new website and mapping tool, while announcing a 20-plus event tour of the state this fall.

Meet the members of the Draw the Lines PA team

Young, old or somewhere in the middle, they're united by a passion to foster democratic engagement.

The national state of play on redistricting reform

Chris Satullo

From coast to coast, from state to state, a grassroots push for election redistricting reform is bearing fruit

Jill Family of Camp Hill

A 1989 Time magazine cover depicting George Washington with a tear running down his cheek, headlined "Is Government Dead?" helped inspire Professor Jill Family to play a leading role in Draw the Lines.

DTL FAQ

We know you have questions, so we offer answers.

How to make a 'Slay the Gerrymander' cocktail

Every good reform initiative deserves a signature cocktail. Meet the 'Slay the Gerrymander.'

Independent evaluation of DTL's impact

An independent evaluation from ImpactEd, through the University of Pennsylvania, found that Draw the Lines has a positive impact in the classroom. We invite you to read the report.

DTL‘s Eastern Steering Committee

A former governor and a Philly stalwart take the reins of a group as varied as the region it represents.

DTL‘s Central Steering Committee

A former state senator and a faith leader chair a group with members from Altoona, Reading and points in between.

DTL‘s Western Steering Committee

A former judge and a former U.S. attorney lead a group full of civic and educational leaders.

DTL announces steering committee, chairs

Chris Satullo

Prominent Pennsylvanian, from businesses, civic organizations and education, ensure that DTL represents the whole state.

Yaasiyn Muhammad of Philadelphia

Yaasiyn Muhammad hopes that Draw the Lines PA helps create a generation of young people who are more aware of the nuances of state government and are encouraged to push for reform.

Salomon Moreno-Rosa of Philadelphia

Salomon Moreno-Rosa credits his fifth-grade teacher with inspiring him to recognize the importance of public service.

Ruling in N.C. case throws election into confusion

Chris Satullo

North Carolina and Pennsylvania are both up there in the listing of "America's worst gerrymanders." Now, North Carolina is following Pennsylvania's example in having its congressional map ruled illegal shortly before an election.

Terms of Use

By using Draw The Lines PA, you are entering into a contract with Committee of Seventy, a non-profit organization in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, headquartered at 123 S. Broad Street. Under that contract, you must abide by the terms outlined in this document.

Rachel Colker of Pittsburgh

Rachel Colker is leading Draw the Lines PA' efforts in western Pennsylvania because she recognizes gerrymandering is at the root of growing political dysfunction.

Kathleen Pavelko of New Cumberland

Kathleen Pavelko joined Draw The Lines PA to be part of the effort to return fairness to a process essential to our democracy.

Corinna Wilson of Camp Hill

Corinna Wilson has been working for decades, as a lawyer and a journalist, to make government more transparent, and is Draw the Lines PA's Central PA Coordinator.

Myra Gehret Forrest of Gilbertsville

Dr. Myra Gehret Forrest, a former school district superintendent, believes that the practice of gerrymandering is not just unfair but 'un-American.' She's backing Draw the Lines because she believes education is the key to a solution.

Paula Duda Holoviak of Sugarloaf

Paula Duda Holoviak never lost the excitement about grassroots political participation she learned from her father at a young age.

Justin Villere of Philadelphia

Justin Villere is leading Draw the Lines PA to provide Pennsylvanians of all ages the tools to lead us out of the wilderness and towards a more perfect union.

Barbara Adams of Philadelphia

Inspired as a child by JFK, Barbara Adams thinks gerrymandering is a fundamental structural problem in our democracy needing to be fixed.

Kitsy McNulty of Pittsburgh

Kitsy McNulty is working toward reforming redistricting so that people check their partisanship at the door in favor of designing fair representation for all.

Dan Mallinson of Middletown

As a state politics scholar, Dan has an interest in helping his students understand how the ways in which district lines are drawn shape who has a voice in government, and thus power.

Kathleen Doherty of Mechanicsburg

This educator believes Draw the Lines PA provides an opportunity for lifelong learning about good citizenship.

Charlie Brown kicks the ball, at last

Bob Trumpbour of Duncansville

Bob Trumpbour's research focuses on how big sports stadiums get built, which has him interested in the political processes involved in that - including how political lines are drawn.

Committee of 70 deplores Harrisburg inaction on redistricting

Chris Satullo

The Committee of Seventy strongly rebuked Harrisburg lawmakers for their inaction and deceptiveness about the constitutional amendment on redistricting.

Our partners helping Draw the Lines

Draw the Lines PA is working with dozens of partners from the fields of education, civic engagement and human services.

Privacy Policy

We at Draw the Lines PA take your privacy seriously. To that end, Draw the Lines PA and its parent organization, Committee of Seventy in Philadelphia, promise we will never sell your personal information, such as your name or email address, to anyone. Ever.

Validating and submitting your map

You've completed your Draw the Lines map. Here's how to submit it to the competition to win money.

Submitting your personal statement

Instructions on how to complete a mapper's personal statement.

A Catholic school teacher embraces DTL

Chris Satullo

Julia Fuhrman is an 18-year veteran social studies teacher at Delone.

Draw the Lines Podcast

Chris Satullo

Students will enjoy this engaging podcast's real-world examples of how political gerrymandering hurts representative democracy.

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Amanda Holt thought legislators would be glad to hear what she had to say.

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Pennsylvania’s redistricting

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Go deep on redistricting

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Dot Matrix Redistricting Game

A fun and challenging game that teaches the ins and outs of redistricting.

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Mission Story Slam 2: Saving Democracy

An evening of story telling about what people do to uphold their sense of how democracy should work. Lawrence Husick won the judges' prize for best story.

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Barney loves a good chair in the sun.

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Barney is the best beagle in the world. Also softest ears.

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Dr. Jill Family

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Kathleen Pavelko

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Harrisburg, we have a problem

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Primer Stories graphic illustrating Chris Satullo's "The Line Dance" essay about gerrymandering.

Check out 'The Line Dance'

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Draw 'your own personal Pennsylvania'

Draw your personal PA blank

A printable and downloadable pdf with a blank outline of Pennsylvania.

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A blank template with prompts encouraging users to complete a Hometown Portrait for Draw the Lines PA.

Make a ‘Hometown Portrait’

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Portrait of Dan Mallinson

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Ratf**ked author David Daley

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DTL in the News

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Mark Schweiker, former Pennsylvania governor.

How not to slice a pizza

Imagine if you sliced a pizza like Pennsylvania was redistricted.

Take Away The Keys

DIY Democracy

Salomon Moreno-Rosa

Browse our resource guide

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Pa. map divided into three DTL districts.

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Mariam Sayeed

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Yaasiyn Muhammad

Gerrymandering 101

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Games for Democracy

Mapathon

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Where am I?

Do I count?

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Am I heard?

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It's a job interview

Data Made Them Do It - Rob Tornoe

Algorithm

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DIY Democracy

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Harrisburg, we have a problem

In this cartoon, a paint brush is being used as a broom over a map of Pennsylvania.

Take Away The Keys Drawing

News & Brews with WITF

An engaged group of 50 or so central Pennsylvanians learned about gerrymandering and the Draw the Lines project in an event hosted by WITF public Media in Harrisburg.

The Path to Redrawing PA’s Districts

Draw the Lines presented at Gannon University about the solution to gerrymandering and efforts to draw fair and more representative voting districts. The discussion was led by Rachel Colker, Western Regional Coordinator of DTL, and Carol Kuniholm of Fair Districts PA.

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David Thornburg

David Thornburgh, CEO of the Committee of Seventy

David Thornburgh of the Committee of Seventy

My world from above

Two days

The shape of PA

Can you tell me how to get to...

What do you see?

In gov we trust

Sharing my info

Let’s talk about it

Connect the dots

First of all

Social capitalization

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Flashes of Insight

Share a meme

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Gerrymandering 101

Draw the Lines PA joined the Carnegie Library in leading an interactive and informational discussion of gerrymandering. We covered the history of gerrymandering, the state of gerrymandering in Pennsylvania, explained the mission of Draw the Lines, and offered connections to reform efforts.

Draw the Lines PA Mapathon

The DTL team joined Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh to show the engaged audience how DTL works and a test drive to our free mapping tool. Join Draw the Lines to compete regionally and statewide for big prizes!

Chris Satullo

Chris Satullo is DTL's project director

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Kitsy McNulty

Kitsy McNulty speaks at a DTL event at the Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh.

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Redistricting by Citizens

Amanda Holt, the citizen mapper who challenged the 2011 PA statehouse gerrymander and won, joined with the Draw the Lines PA team to explain how citizens can make a real difference.

Flashes at Heinz History bar games

Eat Pizza. Save Democracy.

Wilkes students showed off their creative and puzzle-making chops at an event that helped them learn the connection between issues they care about and gerrymandering.

Myra Forrest

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bringing the hammer

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Maps draw UPenn students on Constitution Day

Sept. 17 was Constitution Day and Draw the Lines PA honored the nation's founding charter by joining with UPenn professor Ken Stief to talk about how gerrymandering subverts the Framers' vision. We let folks test drive our DistrictBuilder tool and get ready to draw their own maps.

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Volunteer with Draw the Lines

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All for All Summit

All for All Summit

Draw the Lines PA joined an interactive gathering on the role of immigrants in entrepreneurship and the local economy. The panels discussed the intersection of immigrant inclusion with local politics, the arts, and more.

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Video - The Power of One: The Amanda Holt Story

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Connect the dots event

Hometown Portrait Submission Form

David Thornburg and Chris Satullo

Chris Satullo, project manager of Draw the Lines PA, and David Thornburgh, CEO of the Committee of Seventy.

Sharmain Matlock-Turner and PA Gov. Mark Schweiker.

Sharmain Matlock-Turner co-chairs DTL's Eastern Steering Committee along with former PA Gov. Mark Schweiker.

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Mike Brubaker co-chairs Draw the Lines PA's Central Region Steering Committee along with the Rev. Sandra Strauss.

Mike Brubaker co-chairs Draw the Lines PA's Central Region Steering Committee along with the Rev. Sandra Strauss.

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Maureen Lawly-Green co-chairs DTL's Western Steering Committee along with Frederick Thieman.

Maureen Lawly-Green co-chairs DTL's Western Steering Committee along with Frederick Thieman.

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Rob Tornoe Child Shall Lead Us cartoon

Watch Amanda Holt video

Extra resources

Have a 'Slay the Gerrymander'

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How to make a 'Slay the Gerrymander' cocktail

Guide to web resources

Listen to our podcasts

Charlie Brown doesn't kick the football (again.)

Rob Tornoe. Art The Court Fixed, Right

Bribery

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The Five Whys

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Share Your Citizen Story

Nominate someone for a Citizen Story

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Data Day 2018

Data Day 2018

Data Day was a family-friendly community fair held at the library. Draw the Lines explored the data in your everyday life, and how you can affect change through that data!

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Teacher Toolkit

1 world from above

2 sharing my info

2 in gov we trust

3 let s talk about it

1 shape of pa

1 can you tell me how to get to

4 the power of one

1 what do you see

4 first of all pdf

3 connect the dots

4 social capitalization

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Chris Satullo, Ken Stief at UPenn Mapathon

DTL Project Director Chris Satullo and UPenn's Ken Stief discuss the importance of legislative redistricting with Penn students.

Activist Amanda Holt helps lead a discussion with citizens about how they can play a part in legislative redistricting.

Activist Amanda Holt helps lead a discussion with citizens about how they can play a part in legislative redistricting.

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Activist Amanda Holt helps lead a discussion with citizens about how they can play a part in legislative redistricting.

Activist Amanda Holt helps lead a discussion with citizens about how they can play a part in legislative redistricting.

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Centre County, Huntington County, Mifflin County, Juniata County

Bar Games for Democracy: State College

A small but highly engaged contingent of Happy Valley residents gathered at State College's Liberty Craft House to get an in-depth lesson in how to draw election maps on DTL's District Builder tool.

bar games for democracy

Core Lesson Plans

Redistricting in the U.S.

1 redistricting us lesson

A lesson plan about Redistricting in the United States

2 redisticting in pa lesson

A lesson exploring Redistricting in Pennsylvania

PA redistricting

3 gerrymandering lesson

A lesson on gerrymander and its implications

How to gerrymander

4 draw the lines lesson

A lesson in how to draw the lines

How to draw fair lines

5 make your voice heard lesson

A lesson introducing students to the Ladder of Engagement.

Make your voice heard

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All for All powerpoint

Attendees watch slides during the event.

All for All panel

Panel members stressed the importance of collaboration in helping underrepresented populations and immigrants strengthen their voices in redistricting and other electoral issues.

All for All Summit

A woman tries out Draw the Lines PA's mapping tool.

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Wilkes students

Wilkes University students at Eat Pizza, Save Democracy

Teacher Happy Hour

A few southeast PA teachers joined Draw the Lines PA to learn how to take part in the Mapping Competition (where mapmakers can win up to $5,000) and for a happy hour and tutorial on using the free platform and curriculum in their classroom.

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State of Young Philly-Slay the Gerrymander:Bar Games for Democracy

An engaged group of young Philadelphians, including some new transplants to the city, joined Draw the Lines PA to learn about how to slay the gerrymander.

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Teacher Toolkit — Advanced

Teacher Toolkit

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Illustration

Illustration of many redistricting maps

TED Video gerrymanding image

Core

Supplemental

Play Political Pictionary

Make a 'Hometown Portrait'

Watch the Amanda Holt Video