The public is invited to offer in-person or written testimony on the congressional redistricting that will be carried out because of the completion of the 2020 Census.

State Rep. Tim Bonner, R-8th, will host the first regional hearing in the state on congressional redistricting at 9 a.m. Aug. 24 at Grove City College's Pew Fine Arts Center.

Bonner is encouraging all voters to take part in the public process or observe the proceedings Aug. 24.

“It will give the Grove City College students, faculty and administration as well as the general public an opportunity to personally observe, and if desired, an opportunity to testify before the House State Government Committee, which will recommend the drawing of congressional district lines for the next 10 years,” Bonner said.

Every decade, information collected through the U.S. Census determines the number of representatives each state is entitled to send to the U.S. House of Representatives based on population.

Once in receipt of that data, states are responsible for redrawing the geographic area of their congressional districts to ensure equal and fair representation, and the physical manifestation of the constitutional principle, “one person, one vote,” according to a news release from Bonner.

Those planning to testify at the regional hearing must sign up by Aug. 18 at paredistricting.com.

Written testimony also can be submitted at that website by Oct. 13.

Pennsylvania will lose one congressional seat as a result of the 2020 Census data, going from 18 to 17 districts.

All citizens are eligible to help define the district lines by providing testimony either in person at the hearing or online, Bonner said.

Citizens also can provide a proposed congressional district map for the committee's consideration.

The northwest regional hearing consists of Butler, Erie, Crawford, Warren, Mercer, Venango, Forest, Lawrence, Clarion, Armstrong, Jefferson and Clearfield counties.