Successful Summer Outreach

As August came to a close, Fair Districts PA’s summer interns completed the last of their summer outreach efforts.

In total, they spent a hundred hours each, traveling across the state to set up tables, talk about redistricting, and collect petition signatures in support of an independent redistricting commission.

From the start of June to the end of August, interns attended over 50 community events, including community Nights Out, local festivals, Juneteenth and Pride events, founders’ days, arts festivals, farmers’ markets, and back-to-school celebrations. Working alongside FDPA volunteers in all corners of Pennsylvania, they helped collect over 5,000 petition signatures, with some from every county in the state.

Low points: some very hot day and a few soggy afternoons.

High points: many conversations with Pennsylvanians eager for change, ready for reform, and happy to sign petitions and offer help.

The intern program continues to grow, from a modest start with 3 interns in 2022, to 5 the following year, 8 in 2024, and this summer, 5 returning and 7 new recruits for a total of 12. At the 2025 interns’ suggestion and encouragement, FDPA has now launched a campus liaison position.

While interns and tabling volunteers braved the summer elements, FDPA speakers continued outreach at libraries, churches, senior centers, Rotaries, and several conventions, including the first Pennsylvania gathering of the newly formed We the People Party. As FDPA nears its 10th anniversary, total presentations now total over 1300, attended by over 50,000 Pennsylvanians.

FDPA Chair Carol Kuniholm spent the last half of August in a ten day road trip through north central and parts of western PA, speaking about redistricting in 7 counties, 6 presentations, 4 breakfast briefings, 3 print interviews, 2 legislative visits, 1 podcast and 1 parade. The goal was to highlight the work for redistricting reform, build new connections and collaboration, and energize and encourage existing volunteers. Look below for some media surrounding that excursion.

Thank you to all who helped make the summer outreach possible: donors, interns, data-entry volunteers, local coordinators, tabling organizers, host organizations, and members of the press, who work hard to get the story right.

Democracy is not a spectator sport. We all have a role to play in ensuring fair redistricting and fair, accountable representation.

Media from Chair Carol Kuniholm’s North Central/Western PA tour:

For more recent press and opinion pieces on redistricting and Fair Districts PA, check Fair Districts PA Flipboard and Fair Districts PA/Media Highlights.