New York State Independent Redistricting Commission

Joseph
January 14, 2022
Members of the Commission: I am a citizen of Westchester County and, while an active voter, am not affiliated with any political party. I believe that is is important that the state’s next Congressional District map not join portions of Westchester to the Bronx and Queens. These areas diverge in their concerns and needs and I do not believe that a single representative can adequately represent them. The concerns of Westchester County residents need to be effectively represented in the US Congress. I understand that the task of map drawing has been difficult for the Commission, but I urge the members of the Commission to set aside partisanship and do what is best for the citizens of this great state, including those like me who live in Westchester County. Respectfully, Joseph Kaufman

clifford
January 14, 2022
I STRONGLY disagree with the proposed redistricting maps for Westchester County. Why would anyone think incorporating part of lower westchester with Queens makes any sense. I am all for redistricting the two districts in Westchester based on census changes, but moving to three districts completely removes Westchester from having any impact in DC.

robin
January 14, 2022
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Alice
January 14, 2022
As an American who strongly believes that our democracy works because of two strong political parties balancing each other, the only appropriate redistricting map must be created by looking at the registration of voters in certain areas and drawing lines that represent a balance between democratic and republican voters. Anything less would create an imbalance of power and have disastrous results for the continued function and survival of our democracy.

Maura
January 14, 2022
Splitting the Larchmont Mamaroneck community makes no sense. There are multiple tri and bi- municipal arrangements as well as a shared school district. Furthermore, especially with respect to the congressional district, this Westchester community has very different interests/concerns from the urban westchester cities and the Bronx included in the districting proposals. We already feel unrepresentative.

Lauren
January 14, 2022
Letter: Dear Members of the Independent Redistricting Commission and New York State Legislature: I am a concerned citizen of Westchester County who feels strongly that the state’s next Congressional District map should not join portions of Westchester to the Bronx and Queens. I do not believe that a single Representative can adequately represent the diverse interests of three counties in a conglomeration of urban New York City and suburban Westchester as drawn in Plans A and B for District 14. I understand that the task of map drawing has been difficult for the Commission and continues to be, but I do not want the Commission to dilute any Westchester votes in this manner, and for the next ten years. This same request was expressed by most speakers who were asked about it at the White Plains public hearing. Thank you. Lauren Brois

Margaret
January 14, 2022
Dear Members of the Independent Redistricting Commission and New York State Legislature: I am a concerned citizen of Westchester County who feels strongly that the state’s next Congressional District map should not join portions of Westchester to the Bronx and Queens. I do not believe that a single Representative can adequately represent the diverse interests of three counties in a conglomeration of urban New York City and suburban Westchester as drawn in Plans A and B for District 14. I understand that the task of map drawing has been difficult for the Commission and continues to be, but I do not want the Commission to dilute any Westchester votes in this manner, and for the next ten years. This same request was expressed by most speakers who were asked about it at the White Plains public hearing. Thank you. Margaret Fountain Coleman Yonkers NY

Alice
January 14, 2022
As an American who strongly believes that our democracy works because of two strong political parties balancing each other; the only appropriate redistricting map must be created by looking at the registration of voters in certain areas and drawing lines that represent a balance between democratic and republican voters. Anything less would create an imbalance of power and have disastrous results for the continued function and survival of our democracy. Both political parties should be working for what makes our democracy work and not for individual gain.

Leona
January 14, 2022
Dear Members of the Independent Redistricting Commission and New York State Legislature: I am a concerned citizen of Westchester County who feels strongly that the state’s next Congressional District map should not join portions of Westchester to the Bronx and Queens. I do not believe that a single Representative can adequately represent the diverse interests of three counties in a conglomeration of urban New York City and suburban Westchester as drawn in Plans A and B for District 14. I understand that the task of map drawing has been difficult for the Commission and continues to be, but I do not want the Commission to dilute any Westchester votes in this manner, and for the next ten years. This same request was expressed by most speakers who were asked about it at the White Plains public hearing. Thank you. Leona Newman 68 Sara Lane New Rochelle, NY 10804 914-235-3553 lollyjn@aol.com

Michael
January 14, 2022
Now that the Commission has failed to propose a single set of maps endorsed by the requisite majority of its members, the New York State Legislature is likely to reject the Commission’s first proposals. As a concerned resident of Westchester County, I urge you to recognize the importance of maintaining Westchester’s independent voice and not having it split apart and diluted by surrounding areas of New York City. The City of New York is a unique urban center with an infrastructure of its own, like none other in the state, and a set of issues and concerns that are wholly distinct from suburban communities like Westchester. If the Commission is given the opportunity to propose a second set of maps, it should use that opportunity to unite areas of Westchester County. It appears that both maps under consideration would continue to artificially link portions of the north Bronx with portions of Westchester in one district, while drawing another district that would link Westchester with portions of both the Bronx and Queens. These maps are fundamentally flawed because they dilute the voice of both the suburban community in Westchester (and Putnam counties) and the New York City community in the Bronx and Queens. The district linking Westchester with both the Bronx and Queens is particularly unfair and unacceptable because it divides communities in three counties, limiting the ability of residents in each part of the district to have an elected official who can effectively represent their interests. During last year’s public hearings, when residents of New Rochelle testified before the Independent Redistricting Commission, several were asked by Commissioners whether they would want a district connecting New Rochelle to Queens. None said yes, yet the Commission still drew a Queens to New Rochelle district in both of its proposals. Rather than having District 14 be contained entirely in New York City and District 16 be the only district to cross the Westchester/Bronx border, as was proposed in the earlier Names and Letters draft plans, the Commission inexplicably decided to cross the county border twice. This decision divides communities throughout the region and would especially dilute the voice of the community of southern Westchester centered around Scarsdale and northern New Rochelle. This area has shared infrastructure and institutions, and both proposals would split this community into not two but three different Congressional Districts. When the lines were last redrawn, New Rochelle, Scarsdale and other parts of Westchester were joined with the Bronx. Now, ten years later, the Commission’s proposals would further dilute Westchester’s voice. I urge you to reassess the Congressional map and take action to ensure that Westchester County is not unduly divided. Respectfully yours,

Kate
January 14, 2022
Dear IRC: I am a citizen of Westchester County who feels strongly that the state’s next Congressional District map should not join portions of Westchester to the Bronx and Queens. I do not believe that a single Representative can represent the diverse interests of urban New York City and suburban Westchester as drawn in Plans A and B for District 14. I understand that the task of map drawing has been difficult for the Commission but I do not want the Commission to dilute Westchester votes in this manner for the next ten years. Please note that this same request was expressed by most speakers who were asked about it at the White Plains public hearing. It is important that Westchester speak with one voice and our maps need to reflect that.

Lisa
January 14, 2022
Dear Members of the Independent Redistricting Commission and New York State Legislature: I am a concerned citizen of Westchester County who feels strongly that the state’s next Congressional District map should not join portions of Westchester to the Bronx and Queens. I do not believe that a single Representative can adequately represent the diverse interests of three counties in a conglomeration of urban New York City and suburban Westchester as drawn in Plans A and B for District 14. I understand that the task of map drawing has been difficult for the Commission and continues to be, but I do not want the Commission to dilute any Westchester votes in this manner, and for the next ten years. This same request was expressed by most speakers who were asked about it at the White Plains public hearing. Thank you. Lisa Copeland

Charles
January 14, 2022
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Curtis
January 14, 2022
Either Beacon or Poughkeepsie should be in the 105th Assembly District. Currently, they are clumped together with Newburgh, across the Hudson River in another county, as their own district in the 104th Assembly District. This is a clearly case of gerrymandering, where the largest concentrations of Black voters in the Mid-Hudson region are grouped as one district, despite being in different counties.

Charles
January 13, 2022
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