Representatives from League of Women Voters of PA and local chapters sought to set the record straight ahead of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court retention vote on November 4, and to clarify the high court’s role in the 2018 congressional redistricting decision.
LWVPA Executive Director Amy Widestrom said over the past few weeks Pennsylvanians have received mailers and been exposed to TV ads, backed by Pennsylvania right-wing billionaire Jeffrey Yass, along with Republican special interest groups and political PACs.
“These [materials] distort the facts of our case and misrepresent the role of the PA Supreme Court. Some even imply The League supports the message in these mailers,” Widestrom said. “These materials are false and deliberately misstate the facts of the 2018 League case and the court’s constitutional role.”
Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justices and Democrats Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty and David Wecht are up for retention vote with a yes/no ballot question in November. The potential for gerrymandered redistricting maps, the ability for women to access appropriate reproductive health care and a clear message to those seeking to gain financial influence – from wealthy Pennsylvanians and those outside the commonwealth seeking personal or political gain – is at stake.
The 2011 congressional map case, which was drawn by Republicans during Gov. Tom Corbett’s Administration [2011-2015], was challenged by The League through a lawsuit. At the time, the map was alleged to be one of the most distorted congressional maps in the nation. It created a 13-5 voter advantage (to the Republican party) even where statewide votes were almost evenly split, according to Widestrom, who noted that the court ultimately ruled in their favor.
The Public Interest Law Center claimed the Republican’s 2011 congressional map had been labeled among the “top three starkest partisan gerrymanders in the country and the worst in Pennsylvania’s history.”
Widestrom said when lawmakers failed to redraw the map, an independent expert was brought in to redraw the map and create fairer districts to reflect the will of voters.
“The court did not act politically; it acted constitutionally. It ruled in a case that came before this court.That is what independent courts are supposed to do. Pennsylvania voters deserve better … they deserve a democracy that cannot be bought,” Widestrom said.
LWV representatives from local chapters across the commonwealth – including Bucks County – continue to receive calls from voters confused by the mailers and advertisements.
“Campaigning is one thing, spin is another – but deliberately false information is an abuse of the system,” said Susan Gobreski, League of Women Voters of PA president. “There’s a big difference between free speech and paid deception. Everyone has the right to an opinion, but no one has the right to lie to voters and call it democracy. These mailers should be pulled.”
READ: The Makeup of Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court Hangs in the Balance in November. Here’s What’s at Stake
Gobreski called for campaign finance reform. She noted Elon Musk’s efforts to sway voters in Wisconsin “and use his wealth to try to buy an election. We don’t want these Musk-style tactics in Pennsylvania.”
In April, AP News reported Musk and his affiliated groups spent roughly $22 million in an unsuccessful attempt to flip the Wisconsin Supreme Court to a conservative majority. Musk lost.
“Public trust is undermined by these wealthy interests spreading misinformation to shape election outcomes,” said Ilene Sheinson, LWV of Bucks County president.
“This is part of a growing national pattern of ultra-wealthy individuals using their money to confuse voters, undermine trust in elections and weaken independent courts,” said Michele Emerson, president of the LWV-Capitol Region.
READ: Judicial Elections Key to Protecting Pennsylvania’s Democracy and Our Environment
LWV representatives urge voters to seek trusted information and make their own voting decisions.
“We’ve been hearing from voters who are genuinely confused by these mailers that cite the League’s name.The League does not support these campaigns.These mailers are factually wrong and deliberately misleading,” said Ruth Quint, co-president of LWV Pittsburgh.
Independent voter information resources include: Vote411.org, the League of Women Voter’s website and the Pennsylvania Bar Association, which provides non-partisan voting information, specifically for judicial races.
