Legislative gerrymandering and politicized redistricting processes are at the root of many of the ills of our political system. Drawing electoral district boundaries to aid a particular candidate or party get elected is an undemocratic practice that reduces electoral competitiveness, discourages change to the existing power structures, and often splits apart communities unjustly.
Citizens Union has long supported independent and fair redistricting for all legislative districts in New York State and has been involved in advocacy and litigation on the topic for decades. Over the last decade, the United States Supreme Court has slowly removed more and more federal protections against gerrymandering, leaving the task of fair map-drawing to each and every state.
In 2014, with the support of Citizens Union, New Yorkers voted to amend the state constitution to create an Independent Redistricting Commission and ban gerrymandering. Unfortunately, the State Legislature ignored the will of voters in the 2021-2022 redistricting process, bypassing the Commission process and drawing highly partisan maps, leading to judicial intervention in the map-making process and a chaotic election year. More work is needed to build upon the progress made by the 2014 constitutional amendment and make the redistricting process more independent and fairer.
In New York City, Citizens Union has been working to make the City Council redistricting process more open, fair, and independent. In 2022, we ran a citywide community education program, which offered free trainings and resources to groups in all council districts to help New Yorkers engage in the Council redistricting process. See more about our Council Redistricting program here.
2024 Reform Agenda – Redistricting
Make New York’s redistricting process fairer and more independent
- Monitor ongoing redistricting litigation to ensure New York legislative districts are not drawn for partisan gerrymandering
- Reform the constitutional redistricting process by reducing the influence of legislative leaders over the Independent Redistricting Commission, making the commission less partisan and more diverse, reducing the potential for deadlock, and eliminating the Legislature’s veto power over final maps
- Reform the New York City Council redistricting process by making the Districting Commission more independent, open, and transparent
Recent Activity – Redistricting
Citizens Union Responds News that Legislature Will Reject Congressional Maps
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:
Citizens Union and Good Government Groups Call for Transparent Redistricting Process When Congressional Maps Are Redrawn
December 18, 2023 - Following the Court of Appeals' decision to reopen New York’s congressional district line-drawing, Citizens Union and nine other good government, immigration, and social justice groups sent a letter to the New York State Independent Redistricting Commission urging it to prioritize transparency and public participation in the mapping process
Citizens Union Responds to Court Decision Ordering Congressional District Maps Be Redrawn
December 12, 2023 - Citizens Union releases the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum after the State of New York Court of Appeals ordered that Congressional district maps be redrawn by the Independent Redistricting Commission
Citizens Union Responds to the Democratic Members of the New York Independent Redistricting Commission’s Request For Public Input in Advance of the Court of Appeals Decision on Congressional Districting
October 4, 2023 - Following the Democratic members of the New York Independent Redistricting Commission requesting public input while awaiting a decision from the Court of Appeals on congressional districting by the Commission
Citizens Union Responds to State Independent Redistricting Commission Vote to Advance Assembly District Maps
April 21, 2023 - Citizens Union releases the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum following the state Independent Redistricting Commission vote to advance the final draft maps of the Assembly districts:
Citizens Union Responds to NYC Districting Commission Approval of the Final City Council District Maps, Ending a Ten-Month Long Process
November 1, 2022 - Citizens Union releases the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum as New York City’s redistricting process reaches its conclusion
Letter to Speaker Adams on reducing further delays to the Council redistricting process
October 7 - Letter sent to Council Speaker Adrienne Adams requesting that she speed up the City Council’s review of the plan submitted by the New York City Districting Commission, so that the public has sufficient time to provide input on future revisions
Citizens Union Responds to NYC Districting Commission’s Revised City Council District Maps, Calls on Council to Act Immediately
October 6, 2022 - Citizens Union releases the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum after New York City Districting Commission released and voted on their latest draft of district maps, as part of the redistricting process for New York City’s 51 council districts
Citizens Union Applauds NYC Districting Commission for Open Map Drawing Sessions, Allowing Public to See How City Council District Maps Are Drawn
September 30, 2022 - Citizens Union releases the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum after the New York City Districting Commission completed their two day process for drawing maps for New York City’s 51 council districts, which was open to the public
Citizens Union Responds to NYC Districting Commission Voting Down Proposed City Council District Maps
September 22, 2022 - Citizens Union releases the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum after New York City Districting Commission voted down the second draft of the district maps as part of the redistricting process for New York City’s 51 council districts
Watchdogs, Community Groups Urge NYC Districting Commission to Hold Mapping Deliberations in Public
August 10, 2022 - Citizens Union was joined by dozens of good government and community groups in urging the New York City Districting Commission to hold mapping deliberations on the new City Council district plan as part of an open public meeting, and to provide the public with a detailed explanation of how and why new lines are drawn.
Citizens Union testimony – NYC Districting Commission August 16th, 2022 hearing
August 16, 2022 - Citizens Union’s written testimony before the NYC Districting Commission during the second round of public hearings on the new Council district proposal
Citizens Union Responds to NYC Districting Commission’s Release of the Draft Maps
July 15, 2022 - Citizens Union releases the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum after New York City Districting Commission released the first draft of the district maps for New York City’s 51 City Council districts
Citizens Union testimony – NYC Districting Commission Jul 7, 2022 Hearing
July 7, 2022 - Citizens Union’s written testimony before the NYC Districting Commission during the preliminary round of public hearings on the Council redistricting process
Citizens Union Responds to NYC Districting Commission’s Decision to Delay Draft Maps and Hold Additional Public Hearings
June 6, 2022 - Citizens Union releases the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum after New York City Districting Commission Chair Dennis Walcott that draft district maps would be delayed and drawn after additional public hearings
Citizens Union testimony – NYC Districting Commission May 26, 2022 Hearing
May 26, 2022 - Citizens Union’s written testimony before the NYC Districting Commission during the preliminary round of public hearings on the Council redistricting process
Citizens Union, LatinoJustice, APA VOICE urge NYC Districting Commission to hold public hearings before releasing first draft redistricting plan
May 18, 2022 - CU, LatinoJustice and APA VOICE writes to the NYC Districting Commission to reconsider their decision not to hold public hearings before releasing a first draft of the New York City Council district maps and instead hold one or more preliminary public hearings ahead of the publication of the initial draft maps.
Letter to NYC Districting commissioners with Citizens Union’s recommendations for the redistricting process
May 6, 2022 - Citizens Union submits recommendations to the 2022 NYC Districting Commission meant to ensure independence, build public trust, and create fair and representative maps
Letter to the 2022 NYC Districting Commission Chair concerning a possible code of ethics
May 3, 2022 - A letter to the Chair of the New York City Districting Commission, Dennis Walcot, regarding the development of a Code of Ethics for the Commission's proceedings, including recommendations
Citizens Union Issues Statement in Response NYS Court of Appeals Ruling on Redistricting Map
April 27, 2022 - Citizens Union releases the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum in response to the NYS Court of Appeals ruling on the state's redistricting maps
Citizens Union Files Amicus Brief Urging Court to Give Weight to Anti-Gerrymandering Provision in State Constitution
April 24, 2022 - Citizens Union filed an amicus brief in the matter of Harkenrider v. Hochul, the case challenging the newly drawn congressional and legislative district maps in New York, which is now before the New York Court of Appeals. Citizens Union joined the Campaign Legal Center in filing this brief.
2022 City Council Redistricting
Following the decennial nationwide census, the New York City Charter mandates that the City Council and the Mayor appoint a…
Citizens Union Issues Statement on In Response to Mayor Adams’ Nominations to the NYC Districting Commission
March 7, 2022 – Citizens Union releases the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum on Mayor Eric Adams’ nominations to the New York City districting commission
Citizens Union Issues Report Outlining Recommendations For A Fair City Council Redistricting Process
February 22, 2022 — Citizens Union today issued a report outlining measures to ensure a fair City Council redistricting process. Fair and Open City Council Redistricting recommends the city appoint City Council redistricting commissioners who will adopt expansive anti-gerrymandering criteria, ensure transparency and have not served in an elected office for the past five years.
Letter to the Mayor with recommendations regarding the 2022 Districting Commission, February 2022
February 3, 2022 - Citizens Union sends a letter to Mayor Eric Adams with recommendations and proposals related to the appointment and work of the New York City Districting Commission