For too long, New York’s system for drawing electoral maps has been broken.
Under current legislation, members of the New York State Legislature draw the lines for legislative and congressional districts. Those lines are redrawn every 10 years by a committee made up of sitting legislators.
That means that the people responsible for drawing the lines are the very people who benefit from how the lines are drawn.
The state is looking to address that problem with a proposition that will appear on ballots statewide Nov. 4. Proposition No. 1 seeks to amend the state constitution by establishing an independent redistricting commission to redraw electoral district lines every 10 years, starting in 2020. Eight members of the 10-member commission would be appointed by the four leaders of the state legislature; those chosen will then select the last two. Those two members cannot have been enrolled in either of the two major political parties in New York state in the preceding five years. They also cannot have held state or Congressional office for the preceding three years, among other restrictions.
The proposed amendment also creates a timeline for the redistricting process and new criteria for drawing district lines. District lines cannot be drawn to discourage competition, nor can they be drawn for the purpose of favoring or disfavoring incumbents, particular candidates or political parties. The amendment establishes new rules for passage of a plan and requires that 12 public hearings be held statewide. It also requires that maps and data be made available to the public in a form that allows the public to review, analyze and comment upon plans, as well as develop alternatives. The legislature will be allowed to amend the commission’s plans according to the criteria in the amendment after two “up or down” votes without amendment.
Opponents of the proposal assert that it doesn’t go far enough in reforming the redistricting process, noting that the majority of the commission would be appointed by sitting legislators, who can then amend the plans if they don’t like them. They’re also concerned about partisan gridlock within the commission.
And they raise some valid points. This isn’t perfect. But perfect should not be the enemy of good. This proposition goes a long way toward fixing the problems with New York’s redistricting process, making it fairer and less politically motivated. The legislature no longer has the same free hand it has had in the past, and those with any kind of conflict of interest will be barred from participating. The proposal also invites meaningful participation not only from the two traditional parties, but third parties and minority parties who haven’t traditionally had much of a voice in the process. Most importantly, the proposition bans the manipulation of districts for particular candidates’ political gain or loss.
While Proposition No. 1 isn’t a perfect plan, it’s a far sight better than what we have now. New Yorkers deserve better. Vote yes on Proposition No. 1.
