Fair elections begin with a simple rule: the voters should decide who represents them, not the other way around. Fair districts are the foundation of representative government, and the public deserves a process that puts communities and voters ahead of political self-interest.

In 2014, New Yorkers voted overwhelmingly to approve a constitutional amendment establishing the Independent Redistricting Commission, a reform advanced with bipartisan agreement by a then-Republican controlled Senate and Democratic controlled Assembly. 

When given the choice, voters supported a fairer redistricting process. Since then, voters have rejected election-related constitutional amendments advanced under one-party control, including one in 2021 that sought to undermine the Independent Redistricting Process. New Yorkers have made it clear that they want a process that protects voters, not politicians. 

The proposed redistricting amendment would move New York in the wrong direction by weakening protections against partisan gerrymandering, opening the door to mid-decade redistricting, and giving the Legislature more power over the mapmaking process if the Independent Redistricting Commission is unable to agree on maps after just one round. 

What’s further concerning, is that this effort appears to be coordinated with another recent proposal, S.10639, which would eliminate the need for bipartisan agreement on how the description of ballot proposals are presented on the ballot. Given that voters have a strong record of approving bipartisan constitutional amendment proposals and rejecting strictly partisan measures, it is hard to view this as anything other than a blatant attempt at deceiving voters into approving their latest attempt at partisan gerrymandering.

I am opposed to partisan gerrymandering wherever it takes place. As members of the New York State Legislature, we have control over how things are done in New York, and we owe it to New Yorkers to ensure it is done right. 

Restoring trust in government starts with ending the race for the next partisan advantage, protecting an independent redistricting process, and strengthening safeguards against partisan gerrymandering, not weakening them. 

                                                                                ####