Welcome to ReshapeNY
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To see the final maps approved by the legislature for the 2012 elections, go to the Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment website. There are several pending legal challenges, so please note that they are not yet final.
Testimony on LATFOR's Draft Maps for State Legislature
ReShapeNY seeks to end partisan gerrymandering and create a new fair and independent redistricting process to draw state legislative and congressional district lines in time for the 2012 elections.
ReShapeNY is a broad-based campaign made up of statewide and local civic-minded organizations, as well as individuals who want to bring change to Albany and help restore public confidence in our state government.
The Goal?
To pass state legislation that (1) ends the political manipulation for partisan advantage in the drawing of district lines and (2) establishes an independent commission that would propose to the state legislature how the district maps are drawn for the 2012 elections. The politically balanced and impartial commission would use fair and sensible criteria and be guided by clear guidelines in drawing the maps to ensure the process serves all New Yorkers and their communities rather than preserves the Albany status quo.
The public is clamoring for reform to end the gridlock that too often grips our state government. Having an independent redistricting commission draw state and congressional district lines will remove the inherent conflict of self-interest that exists when legislators do it themselves. The current process essentially allows legislators to choose their voters before the voters choose them.
Nearly two-thirds of voters according to a June 2010 Quinnipiac poll – across all parties – believe that legislators should create an independent body to draw district lines. This level of public support, coupled with the support of a large majority of legislators, means that the question regarding redistricting reform is not if it will happen, but rather how and when.
