The Commissioners of the NYS Independent Commission announced Monday July 12^th a new website and the virtual hearings schedule. The new website and hearings are designed to engage the public prior to the release of the US Census Bureau’s official data in August.

“We are thrilled to be embarking on New York’s first independent redistricting effort. However, this process will only work if the public makes its voice heard. We have created a process that we hope maximizes the opportunities for all New Yorkers to describe their communities and articulate how their districts can be improved.” said Commission Chair David Imamura. 

“Today’s announcement is historic for our great state. We are looking forward to working with the public to realize the potential of the constitutional amendment” said Vice-Chair Jack Martins

The new website www.nyirc.gov allows residents to interact with the newly formed Independent Redistricting Commission. Through the website residents will be able to sign up to participate in hearings, submit their community of interest in writing or submit their own map of their community.

The announced virtual hearings will be a series of opportunities for the public to inform the commission about their communities as they relate to the commission and how the commission can improve the current district lines. These hearings are the first and best opportunities for the public to participate in the redistricting process and to give feedback to the Commission before official data is released from the Census Bureau.

To participate in a hearing the public must sign up through the website for the regional hearing encompassing their community. If a resident cannot attend a hearing but would like to participate, they can submit testimony through the website as well. The following hearings will be live streamed on our website.

Tuesday July 20^th        Nassau/Suffolk counties at 2pm
Thursday July 22^nd      Queens county at 2pm 
Monday July 26^th         Bronx/New York counties
Thursday July 29^th      Kings and Richmond counties at 2pm 
Monday August 2^nd     Mid-Hudson Valley/Capital Region at 2pm
Thursday August 5^th   North Country/Mohawk Valley regions at 2pm
Monday August 9^th      Southern Tier/Central NY regions at 2pm
Thursday August 12^th Finger Lakes/Western NY regions at 2pm

Following the virtual hearings and the release of the official census data the commission will release the first redistricting proposal to the public on September 15^th. The commission will then schedule the constitutionally required hearings for additional public input on the proposed map in the fall.

NYS Independent Redistricting Commissioners

David Imamura-Chair
Jack Martins-Vice Chair
Eugene Benger
Ross Brady
John Conway
Elaine Frazier
John Flateau
Charles Nesbitt
Willis Stephens
Ivelisse Cuevas-Molina