Redistricting

October 29, 2014 - New analysis shows lack of competition in 2014 election cycle: many legislators already elected without a single vote being cast.

October 23, 2014 - Citizens Union is pleased to hear that Attorney General Eric Schneiderman believes that Prop 1 – the proposed constitutional amendment that bans legislative maps drawn for political advantage – does not change the state’s law banning prison-based gerrymandering.

February 13, 2013 - Unprecedented transparency of decision-making can dispel cynicism and increase public confidence. Staff Memorandum’s robust disclosure can serve as a model for other jurisdictions.

January 23, 2013 - Number of seats held far apart from voters party registration or total number of votes cast. Twelve senate Democrats told their voters in Summer 2012 they will support constitutional amendment on redistricting.

January 7, 2013 - Recommends publicly releasing written rationales for each district to make commission's decision-making more transparent. Concerns include protection of incumbents, underrepresentation of Asian Americans, and division of East Harlem.

December 3, 2012 - Good Government Group concerned over flawed process, tainted decision on District 34, and need for more public input.

May 4, 2012 - These decisions demonstrate more clearly than ever before that we could not have relied on the courts or the Justice Department to correct our fatally flawed redistricting process.

March 12, 2012 - Proposal creates independent commission to draw state legislative and congressional district lines. Creates a more inclusive and independent commission while discouraging gerrymandering in future map drawing.

March 8, 2012 - Governor-negotiated constitutional amendment, mirroring statute, and improved 2012 district lines represent best reform option.

March 6, 2012 - Citizens Union urges Governor and Legislature to act now to improve maps for 2012 and enact permanent constitutional and statutory changes.

February 28, 2012 - "A Veto is Essentially A Spanking - It Stings, But It is Temporary."

February 24, 2012 - Former AG details legal framework for a constitutional amendment and statute.

February 23, 2012 - Good Government Groups wants Governor to seize the moment and seek permanent constitutional reform. LATFOR drawn maps demonstrate why fundamental and lasting redistricting reform is needed.

February 2, 2012 - Draft maps manipulate population deviation to maximize majority power. Opportunity to elect districts falls short of creating a legislature reflecting the state's diversity. Good Government Group's testimony before LATFOR follows appearance in Albany criticizing LATFOR for unnecessarily dividing cities and counties and violating the state constitution's requirement for compact districts.

January 11, 2012 - Redistricting reform must be top reform priority as legislature returns to Albany. Legislators must finally honor commitments to voters to regain public trust.