For Immediate Release
Contact: Jake Oliver, jake@anatgerstein.com, 347 361 9983
New York, N.Y. (February 26, 2024) – Citizens Union has released the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum in response to the news that the Legislature plans to reject the Congressional maps sent to them the by the Independent Redistricting Commission:
“In 2014, voters chose to enact historic reforms to create a more independent, transparent redistricting process. Unfortunately, the Legislature has worked to undermine these reforms at every turn. Now we will likely see primary elections delayed for the second consecutive cycle. This is unfair to both candidates who don’t know what their districts will look like, and voters who will have to come out to the polls on an unfamiliar date.
“New Yorkers deserve better. Going forward, we need a process that strengthens the independence of the Independent Redistricting Commission – reducing partisanship and outside influence, bringing more diverse voices to the table, minimizing the potential for deadlock, and eliminating the Legislature’s authority to veto the final maps. We need to begin working to enact these reforms today, so the chaos of this redistricting cycle is not repeated again.”
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