Statement from Senator David Valesky Regarding Constitutional Amendment, Statute to Create Independent Redistricting Commission

I was pleased to join Governor Cuomo in enacting long-needed reform to create a system of independent redistricting that would take drawing district lines out of legislators’ hands. The constitutional amendment and accompanying statute passed last night mirrors legislation I sponsor that would enact permanent structural reform of a broken, dysfunctional system, and create an independent commission to draw lines. From now on, an equally balanced commission will be in charge of the process, and it will have to adhere to guidelines with respect to population deviation, preservation of communities of interest and protection of minority voting rights.