We are committed to adopting a fair redistricting plan through a transparent and efficient process that maximizes public input.
General Principles
While it is impossible to define the specific features of a redistricting plan prior to the release of Census data, it is useful to outline the general principles upon which a fair and legal redistricting plan must be based. Our principles are stated below, with the understanding that these might be amended or expanded in response to community input. Because, as a practical matter, these principles may conflict with each other, we list them in order of descending importance, with the intent of satisfying higher-ranking objectives before moving on to lower-ranking objectives.
(1) Create contiguous districts of approximately equal population, consistent with the one-person, one-vote legal standard. The population of each district should not deviate by more than five percent from the population of the average district.
(2) Consistent with the Voting Rights Act and with relevant case law, including prior legal settlements in New Rochelle, preserve and, to the extent warranted and practicable, enhance opportunities for minority residents to participate in the political process and to elect candidates of their choice.
To the maximum extent practicable, keep neighborhoods whole within a single Council District, minimizing the division of neighborhoods between Council Districts.
(3) To the extent practicable, create Council Districts that are compact in form.
(4) Why Redistrict in 2011?
Fair and equal political representation can only be achieved when district boundaries are based upon accurate and current population and demographic data.
New Rochelle’s present Council Districts were drawn utilizing information from the 2000 Census The next election for the New Rochelle City Council will occur in November 2011 for a four-year term commencing January 2012. If the redistricting process is not completed prior to this year’s election cycle, then current district boundaries will remain in place until January 2016, by which time they will reflect Census figures that are fifteen years old. Reliance on such outdated Census information may well result in unacceptably large population variances among districts and may also unfairly curtail the rights of minority residents.
The City Council must, therefore, make a concerted effort to complete the redistricting process this year.
It is notable that the County Legislature, even though it operates on a shorter two-year election cycle, also intends to redistrict in 2011.
Timing
The City Council has only a limited window in which to commence and complete the redistricting process.
The Census Bureau has not announced a precise date for the release of information for New York State, but it is highly likely that such a release will occur on or before April 1st.
The petitioning period, during which candidates formally seek placement on the ballot, begins in early June. As a matter of fairness, candidates and voters deserve an opportunity to know the shape of districts in advance of this period. Further, and even more importantly, in order to prepare accurate voter lists, the County Board of Elections must receive finalized Council District lines several weeks prior to the circulation of petitions. For these reasons, New Rochelle must adopt and submit a redistricting plan by early May.
A Fair & Open Process
The City has already obtained map-drawing software and will receive Census information immediately upon its release. These tools will be made available in an even-handed fashion to all members of the City Council regardless of political party.
To ensure that the redistricting process is fair, transparent and open to both public input and public scrutiny, we propose the following additional steps:
The City should retain the professional consulting services of a demographer, who has experience interpreting and utilizing Census data and who possesses a working knowledge of New Rochelle’s demographic and physical characteristics.
• The City should immediately establish a process for receiving community suggestions about redistricting via the Internet or written comment. In addition, a City web-page should be established on which redistricting information, including maps and demographic data, can be displayed and updated as warranted. All community input should be circulated to the entire City Council in a timely fashion.
• All community organizations with contact information on file in the City Manager’s office should receive two letters inviting the submission of comments. The first letter should be sent as soon as practicable (prior to the preparation of a draft plan) and should request general input on the desired features of a redistricting plan. The second letter should be sent shortly after the release of a draft plan and should request specific reaction to the plan’s features. The Manager’s community list includes, among other categories, neighborhood associations, civic groups, cultural advocates, religious organizations, and not-for-profits.
• The City Council should conduct at least one public hearing following the release of a draft plan. The City Council should also reserve a night for a possible second public hearing, to be conducted if revisions are made to the initial draft. In all likelihood, it will be necessary to schedule special Council meetings during the month of April in order to facilitate public input and comply with all public notification requirements.
• Following the adoption of a final redistricting plan, the City Administration should coordinate with the County Board of Elections to develop and execute a public outreach program intended to provide accurate and timely redistricting information to all residents, with a special focus on those residents whose Council Districts are shifted as a result of redistricting.
From:
Council Member Jared Rice
Council Member Barry Fertel
Council Member Marianne Sussman
Mayor Noam Bramson