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Drawing the Lines: Forum on Redistricting a Success
The implications of legislative redistricting both locally and statewide was the hot topic of discussion on Monday, March 28 at Drawing the Lines: A Public Forum on Redistricting in Monroe County and Beyond, co-sponsored by the Western New York Chapter of the American Constitution Society and the Genesee Valley Chapter of the NYCLU.
For decades, drawing electoral districts has been a political parlor game, as incumbent lawmakers carved up turf to suit their interests (and their reelection prospects). Governor Cuomo has introduced legislation to create an independent commission to redraw the legislative boundaries, but some key players in Albany are pushing back.
At the panel, Frank Housh, co-chair of the Western New York Chapter of the American Constitution Society, discussed the history and origins of our current model of redistricting, including the reforms included in the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the impact of 2010 census data on redistricting in western and upstate New York.
The panel left to right: Michael Slade (facilitator-on the end of the table), Katherine Smith, president of the League of Women Voters Rochester/Metro Area, Scott Forsyth, Esq., legal counsel to the Genesee Valley Chapter of the NYCLU, Frank Housh, Esq., co-chair of the Western New York Chapter of the American Constitution Society and Hon. Vincent Esposito, deputy minority leader of the Monroe County Legislature.
Katherine Smith, president of the League of Women Voters Rochester/Metro Area, shared the history of redistricting reform work her organization has spearheaded, including consulting work with the Monroe County Legislature.
The Hon. Vincent Esposito, deputy minority leader of the Monroe County Legislature, spoke passionately about the need to restore fairness to electoral redistricting and explained the county proposal for redistricting that he championed in the Monroe County Legislature.
Scott Forsyth, legal counsel to the Genesee Valley Chapter of the NYCLU, rounded out the panel by discussed the reforms included in Governor Cuomo's redistricting bill and talked about the future of redistricting in New York State.
For pictures of the event, go to the Genesee Valley Chapter of the NYCLU facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/gvcnyclu.
Local new coverage by YNN Rochester: http://rochester.ynn.com/content/all_news/rochester/538149/addressing-qu...
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