ALBANY- Legislators have approved a new set of State Assembly district maps that were created by the Independent Redistricting Commission (IRC) after the maps drawn last year by the legislature were declared unconstitutional.
Assembly Minority Whip Karl Brabenec (R-Deerpark) is among the wide majority of lawmakers from both parties that voted in favor of the maps. Brabenec commended the IRC for successfully drawing new Assembly district lines that he says are fair and not gerrymandered as in years past.
“The new Assembly lines were drawn fairly, constitutional procedure was followed correctly, and this proposal even corrected some of the negative aspects that were encountered in the 2022 maps,” said Brabenec. “I’m so proud to represent the current 98th Assembly District and I’m delighted that the new 98th District will remain mostly intact.”
The maps released by the IRC were largely similar to the maps drawn by the legislature last year, which drew skepticism from organizations like the New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG). Blair Horner, NYPRIG Executive Director questioned the IRC’s final plan, stating, “It does raise the question though, how independent is the redistricting commission if they come up with maps that more or less match the ones made by lawmakers.”
The new State Assembly districts will take effect for the 2024 election cycle.
