Last week, a New York State legislative task force released its statewide electoral district maps, the result of partisan wrangling in Albany notoriously aimed at keeping incumbents in power.
Good government groups have criticized the legislative maps for ignoring demographic data and community representation in favor of political interests, and Governor Cuomo said on Friday that he would veto the proposed district lines for being unduly partisan.
"The maps are unacceptable," Cuomo said. "I think anyone who looks at the maps will see the political machinations. You don't have to look hard."
In the past, civil rights groups have criticized the redistricting process for working against immigrant and African-American communities on Long Island, and while lawsuits have sought to address the problem on a case-by-case basis, electoral representation in communities of color will be a pressing issue in the coming weeks.
At a February 6 forum in Brentwood, "Making Our Votes Count: Redistricting and Its Impact on Long Island Communities of Color," you can learn more about redistricting from some of the organizations with the foremost knowledge on the issue, such as Common Cause NY, NAACP, La Fuente, and the Long Island Immigrant Alliance.
The forum will not only offer insight into the redistricting process, it will help organizations prepare to mobilize for a public hearing on the issue in Hauppague on February 9.
We hope you'll join us.
What: Making Our Votes Count: Redistricting and Its Impact on Long Island Communities of Color
When: February 6, at 6:30pm
Where: 1090 Suffolk Avenue, Brentwood
Who: Common Cause NY, NAACP, LatinoJustice (invited), and the Long Island Immigrant Alliance
Hosted by Long Island Civic Engagement Table, Long Island Wins, and Noticia
Participating organizations: Make the Road New York, New York Communities for Change, CARECEN, and more.
Contacts:
Daniel Altschuler, daniel.altschuler@maketheroadny.org
Here are PDFs of the proposed district maps: