Citizens Union Analysis: Gerrymandering In Queens Has Resulted In Representation That Does Not Reflect Borough’s Diversity

Originally Published: September 7, 2011

Calls on legislators to return to Albany to pass redistricting reform at hearing in Queens

Party-controlled and partisan body continues with the status quo redistricting process

Citizens Union and members of the reform coalition ReShapeNY – at a Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment (LATFOR) hearing held in Queens today – released data showing the need for communities of interest in Queens to be given a better chance at representation. They also repeated their call for legislators to return to Albany for a special legislative session to enact redistricting reform.

Citizens Union’s analysis of the new census data in Queens shows that 22.9 percent of the population is Asian (up from 17.6 percent in 2000) yet only one seat of 18, or 5.6 percent, representing the Queens delegation in the state assembly is held by an Asian, Grace Meng of Assembly District 22 in Flushing. This disparity exists despite the fact that 10 assembly districts clustered together have an Asian population of 20 percent or larger, suggesting that if the lines were drawn differently Asian representation may be increased. Likewise, the Latino or Hispanic population in Queens is 27.5 percent (up from 25 percent in 2000) yet only one seat of 18, or 5.6 percent, representing the Queens delegation in the state legislature is held by a Latino or Hispanic, Francisco Moya of Assembly District 39 in Jackson Heights.

In the State Senate, there are no Asian Senators from Queens despite being 22.9 percent of the population. This disparity exists despite the fact that 3 senate districts clustered together have an Asian population of 22 percent or larger, with two districts 37 percent or larger, suggesting that if the lines were drawn differently Asian representation may be increased. One state senator (Jose Peralta representing Senate District 13) out of seven state senators serving Queens, or 14.3 percent, is Latino or Hispanic despite a population of 27.5 percent.

“We are concerned by the disparity between the Queens population of Asian Americans and Latinos and the proportion of state legislators who are Asian or Latino,” said Rachael Fauss, Policy and Research Manager, who delivered the testimony on behalf of Citizens Union. “We recognize that there are a number of factors that contribute to the election of candidates to office, but the lack of fair and objective criteria in the drawing of district lines has too often allowed for the protection of incumbent legislators at the expense of communities of interest.”

LATFOR has a history of gerrymandering to ensure incumbents win re-election and the parties in power maintain their control of their respective houses in the legislature. In doing so, the current redistricting process fails to adequately account for growing minority groups and provide for representation that reflects the diversity of the state.

“The public wants an independent commission – not the partisan divided, party-controlled LATFOR – to draw state legislative and congressional district boundaries according to fair and objective criteria while allowing for robust public input into the process,” said Dick Dadey, Executive Director at Citizens Union. “Ignoring the public support for reform and continuing with LATFOR proceedings, though currently the only legally mandated process, will only end in Governor Cuomo vetoing the very lines it draws.”

Beginning with the 2010 campaigns and continuing during the legislative session, groups that are part of the ReShapeNY coalition were able to obtain record support for redistricting reform, including obtaining the backing of Governor Cuomo who introduced a program bill in February to reform redistricting. 184 of 212 members of the legislature also pledged or co-sponsored bills in support of changing the state’s rigged process for drawing district lines.

“We believe legislators should honor their words and keep their commitments to reform redistricting,” said Alex Camarda, Director of Public Policy and Advocacy at Citizens Union. “New Yorkers deserve better than waiting yet another decade for redistricting reform.”

Report: The Disparity between the Asian-American Population and their Representation in the State Legislature Citizens Union’s testimony at the Queens LATFOR hearing, September 7, 2011

Queens Demographic Makeup

Queens Representatives