Legal representatives presented Thursday in state Commonwealth Court the qualifications of their clients to be involved in a lawsuit regarding the proposed congressional redistricting map for the 2022 election.

Republican county Commissioners Leslie Osche and Kim Geyer, Sheriff Mike Slupe and Summit Township residents are among 25 parties seeking to become “citizen-voter intervenors” in the suit against Veronica Degraffenreid, former acting secretary of the commonwealth, and Jessica Mathis, director of the bureau of election services and notaries. Judge Patricia McCullough said moving the case along briskly was of great importance, given the deadline for the congressional map, which must be signed into law by Jan. 24.

She asked each party what sets their interests apart from other appellants, and how their cases would not delay the proceedings.

The filing period for candidate nomination paperwork for the 2022 primary election is scheduled to begin Feb. 15 and a final congressional district map must be signed into law by Jan. 24 to ensure that the 2022 primary election can go forward as planned, according to the suit.

“The issue in this case is why you have standing,” McCullough said.

The proposed map consolidates the existing 18 districts into 17 based on results of the 2020 Census. It would divide Summit Township, placing most of it the 16th District and much of the southeastern portion, which includes Herman, in the 12th District. Currently, the township is split between the 16th and 15th districts represented by Reps. Mike Kelly, R-16th, and Glenn “G.T.” Thompson, R-15th, respectively.

Under state law, the Pennsylvania legislature is tasked with passing a bill defining congressional district boundaries, which is then considered by the governor, according to the state website.

Thomas W. King III, who is representing Geyer, Osche, Slupe and the citizens of Summit Township, said his constituents have already conducted research on a preferred map, and could quickly submit a report in writing.He said the main concern of his clients was that the proposed map splits the east and west sides of Butler County into separate districts. Summit Township, in particular, could be divided into the 16th and 12th districts.“They will have a map to propose and they have no intention of delaying this proceeding,” King said. “We have done substantial research. We have done our own discovery as we have surveyed the maps. I looked at the maps that have been submitted, a number of which we would find problematic because they split communities.”Throughout the virtual hearing, McCullough asked the appellants to keep their arguments brief and focus on the reasons for their clients to become intervenors in the case.“An order will be coming,” she said after hearing all the arguments.King said in his closing statements that his clients are unique from the other hopeful case participants because they are residents of a county and a township that could be affected by a redrawn map.“There is no representation of these petitioners,” King said. “They don't want their townships divided.”