NY Senate Republican Conference Slam Democrats For Attempting To Take The 'Independence’ Out Of Redistricting Process

“New York voters already cast their vote in favor for this commission in overwhelming fashion. It is alarming that the democrats now want to ignore the will of the people and overturn the result of the election. The important work of the commission must remain independent and not subjected to the tyranny of a majority,” said Senator Andrew Lanza.

ALBANY, NY – The New York Senate Republican Conference today demanded that Democrats not overturn the will of the voters to conduct independent redistricting and cease interference with the Independent Redistricting Commission.

The Commission was created as a result of a state constitutional amendment in 2014, but Democrats have failed to fund the bipartisan commission and have blocked it from conducting its constitutional duties.

Instead, this week the Democrat-controlled Legislature reportedly intends to introduce legislation that would overturn the will of the people, including changing adoption rules from a two-thirds vote in  both houses to a 60 percent straight majority vote and drawing lines that do not split cities. The Democrat process would not be independent and would create districts that favor one party.

“In 2014, New York voters amended the state constitution to create an Independent Redistricting Commission and remove legislators from the redistricting process. For months, the Legislature has blocked the Commission from beginning its constitutional duties. Now Democrats want to roll back those important reforms and undermine the will of an overwhelming majority of New Yorkers who voted for a fair, independent redistricting process. The legislature must stop interfering with the Commission and allow them to get to work,” said NYS Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt.

“Here comes the latest example of this state government under one-party control ignoring the will of the people with only one goal in mind and that’s to secure themselves a permanent lock on New York government.  That’s not what the voters want and they overwhelmingly approved a Constitutional amendment in 2014 to stop it. Let’s get this Independent Redistricting Commission to work and stop trying to put a complete end to checks and balances in this legislative process,” said Senator Tom O’Mara.

“New York voters already cast their vote in favor for this commission in overwhelming fashion. It is alarming that the democrats now want to ignore the will of the people and overturn the result of the election. The important work of the commission must remain independent and not subjected to the tyranny of a majority,” said Senator Andrew Lanza.