The Independent View: NY Legislature to Hold Joint Hearing on Independent Redistricting

New York Lawmakers will Hold a Hearing, July 15th, to Review the State's New Independent Redistricting Process.

It will be Led by the Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment, which has been Responsible for Overseeing Redistricting. In the Past, the Senate Judiciary Committee, and the Assembly Government Operations Committee.

Good Government Advocates and Experts will Testify at the Hearing.

"How district lines are drawn is crucial to ensure our democracy functions properly and serves all people. For too long, redistricting has been a partisan game that has polarized our country," Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D) said. "As we approach the next redistricting, it is crucial that we establish a process focused on fairness."

New York Voters Approved a Constitutional Amendment in 2014 to Change the Redistricting Process beginning with the 2020 Census. An Independent Commission will be Tasked with Redrawing Congressional and State Legislative District Lines.

The Commission will consist of 10 Members: Eight of whom will be Appointed by the Assembly Speaker, Senate Majority Leader, Assembly Minority Leader, and Senate Minority Leader. The Eight Commissioners Appointed by the Legislative Leaders will then Select Two People who aren't Enrolled with either the Democratic or Republican Parties to fill the Remaining Seats on the Panel.

Under the New Amendment, the Commission Must hold 12 Hearings during the Redistricting Process. The State Legislature still has the Authority to Approve the Redistricting Plan. If State Lawmakers Vote Twice to Reject the Commission's Proposal, then the Assembly and Senate can Amend the Maps.

The New Independent Commission seeks to Address Partisan Gerrymandering and Other Concerns with the Redistricting Process, including Representation of Minority Communities in New York.

When the Legislative District Maps were Drawn ahead of the 2012 Election, Democrats Controlled the State Assembly and Republicans held the State Senate. There was an Agreement on New State Legislative District Lines, but a Federal Judge drew New Maps for the State's 27 Congressional Districts.

One Development that could Delay the Redistricting Process before the 2022 Election is the COVID-19 Pandemic. Because of the Pandemic, the U.S. Census Bureau Suspended its Field Operations for the 2020 Census. While the Agency has Started to Resume some Operations, the Count has been Affected by the Health Crisis.

Even with the Delay, Good Government Groups like the League of Women Voters of New York State believe that Public Input in the Redistricting Process could begin on an Earlier Timetable.

"This hearing will allow groups representing diverse communities throughout New York state to offer recommendations for best practices to our new redistricting process," said Jennifer Wilson, Deputy Director of the League of Women Voters of New York State.