County Legislators Working on Redistricting
Westchester County legislators are working on redistricting county legislative districts after the results of the 2010 Census came in.
Redistricting in the county takes place every ten years to ensure that each legislator is serving the same amount of constituents. The census showed significant growth in the northern part of the county versus the southern part.
Legislator John Nonna (D-Pleasantville), who is chairing the committee, said most of the changes are going to be minor. He said the goal is to have most municipalities served by one legislator and not split up. Under current plans, Nonna’s District 3 would lose a portion of Harrison but gain Sleepy Hollow.
While redistricting often leads to concerns about gerrymandering, Nonna said the process has been transparent. The legislators have worked with the League of Women Voters and have had public comment.
“We are making only minor changes to address the population shift,” Nonna said. “There’s no effort to make districts more favorable to one party or another party.”
Other proposed changes would see five districts in Yorktown move to District 1, currently served by John Testa (R-Peekskill). Four districts in Peekskill would move to District 9, currently served by Bill Burton (D-Ossiniing). Several districts in Somers would move from District 2 to District 10, currently served by Michael Kaplowitz (R-Somers).
Legislators are expected to hold a public hearing and vote on the new map on Monday, with the goal to have the map in place in time for this year’s elections.
Adam has worked in the local news industry for the past two decades in Westchester County and the broader Hudson Valley. Read more from Adam’s author bio here.