Redistricting, and now battle, lines are drawn

[phoebe]

Apologies if you thought this was about Texas..

ALBANY - A federal judge, in a strongly worded report, said Albany County's redistricting plan is discriminatory, violates the Voting Rights Act and is recommending this year's legislative races be put on hold until new lines are drawn.


U.S. Magistrate David Homer sided with the Arbor Hill Concerned Citizens Neighborhood Association, the NAACP and others in stating the county should have included a fourth legislative district where the majority of the population is made up of minorities.
"Thus, plaintiffs have proven their claim that by failing to create a fourth majority/minority district, the county plan dilutes the vote of blacks and Hispanics in the county," he wrote.


snip

The county attorney's office would not comment. County Executive Michael Breslin was not in the office when the decision came down late Monday afternoon.

In his decision, Homer did recognize the chaos it could cause the political wheels that have been in motion since the petition process began on June 3. But, he said, "the interests of plaintiffs in obtaining equal voting rights in the county outweigh the interests of defendants in avoiding disruption of the ongoing electoral process."
He further defended his recommendation because there is "beyond a preponderance of the evidence that there exists a substantial likelihood that plaintiffs will prevail on the merits of their Voting Rights Act claim at the trial of this case."

http://www.troyrecord.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=9419505&BRD=1170&PAG=461&dept_id=7021&rfi=6

[Nottingham]

1. Oh this gives me hope!

:bounce:

[phoebe]

2. "election on hold" until new lines drawn..

ALBANY - A day after a judge recommended the election for 39 legislative seats be put on hold while new district lines are drawn, no one knows quite sure what to do - or what is going to happen.

I don't know what that does to the current election," said state Board of Elections spokesman Lee Daghlian. "It's unfortunate the court picks these times to do these things."

Candidates have been circulating nominating petitions since June 3 and, as per state law, they must be mailed to the county Board of Elections with a post mark no later than July 10. The primary is Sept. 9 and the general election Nov. 4.

snip

Homer is recommending this year's election cycle be put on hold until new lines are drawn that include a fourth district, where the majority of voters are minorities, in addition to the three that exist under the present configuration.

http://www.troyrecord.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=9477873&BRD=1170&PAG=461&dept_id=7021&rfi=6