The time has come for New Yorkers to take back their vote. The League of Women Voters of Nassau County believes this can come about only if legislators support an independent, nonpartisan commission for redrawing Assembly and Senate districts in response to the 2010 census. To achieve this end, the LWV has joined ReShape NY, a broad coalition of 30 advocacy, business, union, and civil groups calling on the Governor and state legislature to create an independent redistricting commission that draws district lines using fair and defined criteria while engaging the public in the process. If New York is to have a state legislature that is responsive to the interests of the constituents rather than keeping itself in office, citizens must demand this change from their legislators.
The State Senate recently passed legislation that proposes a flawed constitutional amendment creating a redistricting commission that would not be effective until 2022. Voters of this state cannot wait another ten years for reform. In the 2010 election, New York State had one of the lowest rates of voter participation in the nation. Why should people vote if they face no real choice in candidates?
We ask New York citizens to contact their legislators and to insist that they support a truly independent redistricting commission to take effect immediately.
Rachael Krinsky
President Nassau County League of Women Voters
