New York has once again created new congressional district maps. This will be the third set of maps in three years.

At the end of last year, the New York State Court of Appeals ruled that the Independent Redistricting Commission (IRC) must redraw the congressional district lines. This month, the IRC sent new maps to the State Legislature, which then rejected them.

This prolonged and disorderly redistricting saga shows the need for a more independent and transparent process. In response, good government groups held a “People’s Hearing on Redistricting” to provide a place for the public to voice their concerns.

You can read more about redistricting and other issues on which we are working in this edition of The Reformer.

Best,

Betsy Gotbaum
Executive Director, Citizens Union/Citizens Union Foundation

POLICY UPDATES

New Congressional Redistricting Maps and a Call for Transparency

Earlier this month, the IRC fulfilled its procedural duty and approved one map to submit to the Legislature. The map they approved closely aligns with the maps that were already in place. The Legislature rejected those maps. The Legislature has worked to undermine the independence and transparency of the redistricting process at every turn. Now we will likely see primary elections delayed for the second consecutive cycle. This is unfair to candidates who don’t know what their districts will look like and to voters who will have to come out to the polls on an unfamiliar date. New Yorkers deserve a better redistricting process. We need a more independent process that reduces partisanship and outside influence over the commission. The process should include more diverse voices, minimize the potential for deadlock, and eliminate the Legislature’s authority to veto the final maps. You can read our statement in response to the Legislature rejecting the maps here.

People’s Hearing on Redistricting

The Independent Redistricting Commission and the State Legislature did not hold any public hearings or seek public input on the new congressional maps they were ordered to redraw. In response, Citizens Union hosted a virtual hearing on redistricting with several New York voting and civil rights groups.

Members of the public and organizations representing diverse stakeholder groups across the state testified on the current state of redistricting and how new Congressional lines will impact their communities over the next decade. You can watch the hearing here .

Record Number of Candidates Signed up for State Public Campaign Finance Program

The deadline to sign up for the state’s voluntary public campaign finance program was February 25th. An impressive total of over 300 candidates have joined the program.

Governor Hochul has allocated $100 million in her executive budget to provide matching funds for the program during the 2024 elections. We urge Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins and Speaker Heastie to secure full funding allocation in the final budget before the 2024 election.

College Leaders Urged To Act On Campus Voting Sites

We signed onto a letter from Bard College urging higher education leaders across New York State to abide by a 2022 law meant to boost voter turnout on college campuses. The legislation requires poll sites on New York college campuses with over 300 registered voters. The law also aims to stop discriminatory practices directed at college-age voters by county Boards of Election. Unfortunately, state and local election administrators have not adequately prioritized or fully implemented this legislation. Most colleges in New York State do not have on-campus poll sites, and there has been almost no change since this law went into effect. The letter asks the colleges to take practical steps before the March 15 state deadline, when county Boards of Election need to designate poll sites for the 2024 federal elections.

You can read the full letter here.