Council fails to establish redistricting commission

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Current partial election district map of Poughkeepsie.

POUGHKEEPSIE – The Poughkeepsie Common Council has violated the city charter by not appointing a redistricting commission.  The law requires that the committee was to be established by the first day of March of 2021.

The commission is tasked with dividing the city into wards based on the latest population data, to determine representation on the common council.

The charter says, in part “ the common council, by resolution, shall appoint a redistricting commission to consist of five members, four of whom shall be appointed by the common council, who, upon the affirmative vote of not less than three such commission members, shall select a fifth member to serve as its chairperson.”

By failing to name the commission, the council further violated the law requiring the commission to submit a proposed plan of redistricting to the common council for its consideration of adoption by local law.  The plan should have been submitted to the council by November 1, 2021.

Second Ward Councilmember and the council’s Majority Leader, Evan Menist, noted that the council has issued two separate calls seeking people wishing to serve on the commission but they have not received the resumes of enough qualified candidates to fill the commission.  According to the charter “No member of the commission shall be employed by or hold any elected or appointed office of the city, and no more than two members shall be enrolled with the same political party.”  Menist noted that Chairperson Sarah Salem will be issuing a new call for applicants in the near future.

Mayor Rob Rolison expressed his disappointment with the council, saying “The voting public needs to know what the new boundaries are as do prospective candidates for office. There is also action that needs to be taken by the Board of Elections as a result of reapportionment.  Citing the importance of redrawing the district lines, he added ” This issue is far too important to linger. I urge the Common Council to swiftly address this matter.”

Chairperson Salem did not return a request seeking an explanation as to why the council has violated the charter.




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