Griffo statement on congressional redistricting court arguments

New York State Sen. Joseph Griffo, R-C-Rome, released the following statement today regarding court arguments that could lead to gerrymandered congressional districts in New York: 

“This latest attempt to overturn the will of the people and gerrymander new congressional districts is ridiculous. 

New Yorkers wisely expressed their desire to have a nonpolitical, fair and transparent redistricting process by supporting a constitutional amendment establishing the Independent Redistricting Commission in 2014 and later rejecting an attempt to essentially neuter the commission in 2021. 

Despite this, the Democratic majorities have continued to seek out ways to circumvent the will of the people and to undermine the redistricting process in a way that favors them and not the public. Thankfully, these disingenuous attempts have not been successful and the state’s highest court has upheld a bipartisan approach to determining legislative and congressional district boundaries. 

I understand that a court’s opinion may evolve over time and that there are new judges in place. However, the court deciding to engage on this issue a little over a year after appointing an independent special master to draw the latest district lines makes no sense. It establishes a dangerous precedent where our judicial system appears to be or is becoming political, which has accordingly contributed to an erosion of confidence in the judiciary. 

I am hopeful that this egregious endeavor will not be successful and the will of New Yorkers ultimately respected.” 

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