Legislatures are notoriously bad at regulating themselves. This week, that truism was given continued credibility after New York’s proposed redistricting plan was released.

In general, the proposed legislative districts are as malformed as they have ever been. It appears that decisions about districts are made with chief concern for protecting incumbents, not the welfare of democracy. In the last 30 years, past gerrymandering has resulted in an average of only three challengers defeating incumbents each year. That might partly explain the paltry 47 percent disapproval rating that New York’s state legislators have to stand by.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has a chance to stand fast as a steward of the public’s interests and the state’s democratic process at large. His most recent threat to veto the plan is a good first step. More importantly, New York needs to reform its redistricting process. Citizens should demand an independent commission, composed of only non-legislators, that is required to draw districts that are within 1 percent of an ‘ideal’ size. Cuomo’s Redistricting Reform Act would have provided for such rules, but its passage has been continually delayed

Despite what some might say, this is not a problem with one party or another. Both parties do this in states across the country. Our governor has a chance to stand up for the interests of the people of New York — and he should.

Jay Altschuler

NYPIRG Intern

Syracuse, N.Y. 

Published on February 1, 2012 at 12:00 pm