Coalition Of Latino Voters Calls For Delay In Pennsylvania Primary
By Kim Glovas
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A coalition of Latino voters in Pennsylvania on Monday was calling on the legislature to move back the state primary to allow a new redistricting map to be drawn. Latino Lines believes the 2001 map, which a federal judge has put into place, is unconstitutional.
The coalition stood at 6th and Market Streets in the shadow of Independence hall, asking the state legislature to push the date of the primary back to allow a new map to be drawn up.
The group said a new map would represent the 46-percent increase in Latino voters since 2001.
Former City Councilman Angel Ortiz said postponing the primary is not unprecedented.
"We need that primary to be postponed, pushed back to May, June, July," said Ortiz. "New York is going to have three primaries because of the same reason. They're going to have one Presidential, one Congressional and one for the State House and Senate."
Ortiz said the current lines are unconstitutional.
The coalition is asking people to go to their website, LatinoLines.com and sign a petition calling for a new and fair redistricting map.
The Pennsylvania Reapportionment Commission was expected to meet again on Wednesday to discuss the new map.
