New York’s Independent Redistricting Commission is Coming to Town (Virtually)

ITHACA, NY -- Before it dives into map making, New York’s Independent Redistricting Commission has scheduled a string of virtual listening events to gather public input.

The Commission is a 10 member bi-partisan group. Each commissioner was appointed by State Senate and Assembly leaders. They’re tasked with redrawing New York’s legislative and congressional districts.

Tompkins County is notably split between three State Senate districts, and is in a congressional district that some argue separates it from other Central New York and Finger Lakes communities better aligned with it’s legislative interests. 

The County Legislature unanimously passed a resolution in June, asking the Redistricting Commission to keep the county within a single State Senate district, Assembly district, as well as within one Congressional district. 

Commissioners will be virtually meeting with constituents in the Southern Tier and Central New York on August 9th, at 2pm.

The Commission, which was beset by a series of delays -- from its actual funding, to the census data it needs to draw the district maps -- now finds itself on a tight timeline to produce its first draft proposal. 

The commission is set to receive the census data they need to begin in mid August. Between now and then, the commissioners will be making their rounds at the virtual meeting table. They’ve scheduled eight meetings, each specific to counties or regions in New York. It’s a wide and ambitious net to cast, and also an opportunity for public input that was not required of the Commission.

The first meeting is on July 22nd, and the last is on August 12th. When they have the concerns and narratives of New Yorkers logged, the commissioners will have to race to finish their first redistricting proposal by September 15th.

To sign up to speak with the Redistricting Commission, and learn more about the redistricting commission, go to nyric.gov.