Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Hello, Gerrymandering: NY's Sucky Proposed Redistricting Maps Will Probably Get Vetoed
By
Jen Chung
Published Jan 27, 2012
Modified Jan 27, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
View all 12
By
Jen Chung
Published Jan 27, 2012
Modified Jan 27, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Yesterday, the NY State "Legislative Task Force On Demographic Research And Reappointment" unveiled its proposed maps for redrawn State Senate and Aseembly districts. And they are really horrible. For instance, here's how the AP describes the maps, "Among the proposed [Senate] districts are six now represented by Democrats in Queens which would be reduced to three, forcing potential two-way battles by incumbent Democrats in one district in the shape of a lobster," while a newly proposed 46th Senate district "would snake along GOP towns from the old industrial city of Amsterdam in Montgomery County, through Albany’s suburbs, to just outside Poughkeepsie, more than 100 miles away." And City Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. told Politicker NY, "Holy crap they drew the Astoria Senate district into something that looks like a baby alien popping out of a stomach!!"
The process to redraw district lines is one driven by insiders; State Senator Martin Dilan (D-Bronx), who was on the Senate Democrats' rep on the task force, told the NY Times earlier this week, "We can see what the outcome’s going to be here; it’s the same as it has been for over 50 years... [It's] a farce and a waste of time and money."
The AP also notes, "In the Assembly, the Democratic majority proposed a new 138th Assembly District in suburban Monroe County, near Rochester, that appears to veer off in search of Democrats into a swirl resembling a big question mark." The Republicans control the State Senate while the Democrats control the Assembly. Interestingly, one upstate area that currently has four legislators would get eight, cutting up Jefferson, St. Lawrence and Lewis Counties: "Dicing up counties among many legislators is a sign of partisan gerrymandering, good-government advocates." And speaking of goo-goo, the Citizens Union's Dick Dadey said, "What is clear is these maps are gerrymandered. That is what we get when legislators are left to draw their own districts. It makes the case of why we need permanent change and why the Governor should use his veto promise to get fair lines.”
CityRoom reports that Governor Cuomo said at first, "I want to let the process play ou. A lot of people have a lot of ideas. Some of the good government groups have ideas. Let’s see how it plays out. My point all along has been, I want a better product, and I want a better process. And I don’t know where it ends," but then his spokesman said, after the maps were released, "At first glance, these lines are simply unacceptable and would be vetoed by the governor." Politicker has some more amusing names for the redistricting maps, like "Pterodactyl sitting down."
Tagged
assembly
gerrymandering
maps
NY
ny state
redistricting
state senate
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Man shot and killed on Midtown subway platform Saturday afternoon, NYPD says
Police said they're searching for a person of interest.
By
Ryan Kost
and
Elizabeth Kim
Published Oct 17, 2026 at 1:16 p.m. ET
Modified Oct 17, 2026 at 4:10 p.m. ET
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
Suspects were driving a Subaru Forester, police said.
By
Ryan Kost
News
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
Suspects were driving a Subaru Forester, police said.
By
Ryan Kost
Being reigning champions is weird for Knicks fans, but we could get used to this.
By
Catalina Gonella
Tompkins Square Park is getting a makeover. Some say it's too much.
By
Willow Higgins
Deer are all over New Jersey roads looking for sex, state officials warn
By
Rosemary Misdary
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .