New Paltz Town Council Passes Resolution Opposing Flawed Reform

NEW PALTZ, NY (10/24/2014)(readMedia)-- In a strong showing, the New Paltz Town Council today came out against Proposal 1, a redistricting amendment to the New York State constitution that will be voted on November 4. In a unanimous decision, the Council passed a resolution opposing the amendment in its entirety and urging voters to reject the proposal come Election Day. In the resolution, the Council supports "fair and impartial redistricting," but notes that this ballot proposal is "neither independent nor impartial."

"Bipartisan and independent are far from the same," said New Paltz Councilman Daniel Torres. "We need an independent process that removes the State Legislature from drawing there own districts. I urge everyone to send that message on November 4th by flipping over the ballot and voting No on Prop 1."

Opponents of Proposal 1 argue the amendment – if passed – would lock a flawed redistricting plan into the New York State constitution for decades to come. Rather than setting up a fair and independent redistricting process, responsive to voters' concerns, the amendment would perpetuate an already broken system. The resolution, passed Thursday evening, agreed, adding that the proposed amendment would result in the continued under representation of key communities within the State.

Ulster County is no stranger to the issue of Redistricting. In 2011, the county passed a referendum creating an independent commission, free from political interests, to oversee the redrawing of legislative district lines. Their process thus far has worked. However, if passed, Proposal 1 would create a 10-member Redistricting Commission which a state court judge last month ruled cannot be described as "independent" on the ballot, because such a description would mislead voters. In place of actual reform, the amendment would add further confusion to an already murky constitutional provision, inviting yet more lengthy and costly redistricting litigation.

Elsewhere in the Hudson Valley, several other elected officials have voiced their opposition to Proposal 1. "I believe that we need real redistricting reform so incumbent lawmakers can't influence the redistricting process," said Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner. "We need a non partisan commission that will be divorced from politics and will do what's right for the people."

No to Fake Redistricting Reform Committee was established as a campaign committee in 2014 to advocate against Prop 1, a state amendment to the NYS constitution. The committee has picked up endorsements from many editorial boards, several community and advocacy groups, as well as elected officials at all levels of government across the state. This proposal will take away voters' rights to pick their legislators and continue to divide up the state for the benefit of Albany politicians instead of drawing maps to fairly represent the rights of the voters.