New York, N.Y. (February 2, 2022) – Citizens Union releases the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum on the proposed Congressional maps for New York State:
“In 2014, New Yorkers voted to reform the redistricting process. The last thing voters wanted was for lawmakers in Albany to draw legislative maps, in haste, with no public input. Sadly, after thousands of New Yorkers participated in a robust process through the Independent Redistricting Commission, the will of the voters has been ignored. Maps were released over the weekend, with no public vetting, and approved within three days. This is not how Congressional districts, which will remain in effect for a decade, should be drawn.”
“The result is a set of maps that are vastly different from the ones submitted by the Independent Redistricting Commission, prioritizing partisan and incumbent interests over the needs of communities.”
“Citizens Union had advocated for, and was optimistic about, a fair and open redistricting process. Instead, partisan interests were again allowed to be the driving force in the process.”
About Citizens Union
For 125 years, Citizens Union has been a force for transparency, accountability and ethics in New York’s City and State governments. A nonpartisan organization, some of our current initiatives include a new agenda for police accountability, monitoring the City Council’s redistricting process and increasing civic engagement. Learn more at www.citizensunion.org.