ALBANY- Several political and good government groups are reacting to this week’s Court of Appeals decision to send the duty of creating new districts back to the state’s Independent Redistricting Commission (IRC). Last year the IRC failed to produce new districts which resulted in the state legislative majority drawing districts that were ultimately deemed unlawful. The result was the court appointing a “special master” to draw the district lines for the 2022 election. This week’s court decision said those lines would not stand for 2024, and that the IRC would get another shot.
Some groups are pleased about the court’s decision, others are not.
The Democratic Commissioners on the IRC released a joint statement praising the decision, stating in part that they welcome the Court of Appeals’ decision holding that, “the people of New York are entitled to the IRC process set out in the Constitution, for which they voted.” Deputy Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins, a Democrat, serves as the Chairman of the commission.
Former four-term U.S. Congressman, 2022 New York Gubernatorial candidate, and Chairman of the Leadership America Needs PAC Lee Zeldin believes the court’s decision was based in politics, not the law.
“New Yorkers already voted twice in statewide ballots since the 2010 census to ensure that New York’s constitution would end hyper partisan gerrymandering by the legislature,” said Zeldin. “The Court of Appeals eagerly disgraced itself today in a way that will be taught in future law school classes about how, in some cases, merit, the constitution, laws, facts, and the will of the people just don’t matter.”
The League of Women Voters took to X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, to urge the IRC to take a different course than it did last year when creating new districts.
“It is critical that the IRC reach consensus on a new map that complies with the constitutional requirements to avoid partisan gerrymandering, consider communities of interest and protect racial and language minority voting rights. The League strongly supported the 2014 constitutional amendment, and will closely monitor that the IRC and legislature adhere to their constitutional responsibilities in drawing and approving a new map.”
State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar pointed to the concerns outside groups have as evidence the court’s decision was incorrect.
“Even New York good government groups, which typically skew liberal, understand that what we just witnessed in New York is Tammany Hall politics at its worst'” said Kassar. “This decision is a stain on New York’s political integrity. It is a disgrace to all who believe in fair district lines and competitive elections.”
Susan Lerner, Executive Director of Common Cause/NY, a good government group, said the restricting process is broken and that a permanent fix is needed.
“That means lawmakers must prioritize passing a constitutional amendment that creates a truly independent, citizen-led redistricting commission that puts the power in the hands of New Yorkers – not elected officials,” said Lerner.
