Delmont man one of 18 challenging PA redistricting map

Delmont resident William Marx had his day in court Monday.

Marx, 41, is one of 18 Pennsylvania residents who, with the League of Women Voters, filed suit against the commonwealth in June over its congressional redistricting practices. They are being represented by the Philadelphia-based Public Interest Law Center.

The case, which challenges the state's practice of partisan gerrymandering, is being heard by Commonwealth Court Judge P. Kevin Brobson in Harrisburg.

On Monday, the opening day of the high-profile trial, Marx testified on the reasons why he joined the lawsuit. A history and civics teacher at Taylor Allderdice High School in Squirrel Hill, he quoted his students as saying, “Well, then why should we vote?” when they learned about gerrymandering.

A registered Democrat who lives in the 12th District, Marx said the district's boundaries virtually guarantee that a Democrat cannot be elected. The district, which covers part of Westmoreland County, is represented by U.S. Rep. Keith Rothfus, a Republican.

“I want competitive districts and a chance to be able to put someone in there who would represent me, or a chance to hold someone accountable if they don't represent me,” he said, according to a trial summary posted by the Public Interest Law Center.

Marx testified that he does not need to be represented by a Democrat.

“The reason I signed onto this lawsuit is because I teach my students the importance of being involved in the political process, but the feeling of political powerlessness amongst my students creates cynicism among them about the value of participation in the civic process,” Marx told the law firm .

Marx, who was elected to a seat on Delmont borough council in November, told the Tribune-Review that he felt motivated to get involved in local politics after returning home from a military deployment.

A retired Marine, he now serves in the Army Reserve.

Evidence produced during the trial, which continues through Friday, will be turned over to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court for a final decision. Depending on the trial outcome, the case could change the way Pennsylvania districts are drawn in time for the 2018 elections.

The U.S. Supreme Court has accepted a similar challenge to the Wisconsin redistricting plan in Gill v. Whitford.

Stephen Huba is a Tribune-Review staff writer.