Redistricting Commission continue discussions on legislature size

(Photo Source: Kevin L. Smith/The Cortland Voice).

The Cortland County Redistricting Commission recently discussed the possibility of downsizing the number of legislators representing specific geographical districts, while still having a number of legislators who could take on more general duties at the county level.

As part of the apportionment process that occurs every 10 years after U.S. Census figures are released, the county is seeking to redraw its legislative boundaries to be able to provide fair representation to residents based on updated population figures. 

Census data indicates there has been a 5.1 percent decline in population across the county since 2010, which has spawned questions regarding the number of county legislative seats moving forward. 

For every district, there must be a 5 percent increase or decrease from a proportional number of residents per district. In the county’s case, if they were to uphold the current 17 legislature seats, it would mean the district must stay within 5 percent more or less than approximately 2,753 residents. This number is the total Cortland County population divided by the 17 districts.

There are currently proposals to shrink the legislature down between 13-15 seats, and another one to stay at 17. The maps can be found here, and the proposals are here. These proposals are set to evolve with further commission meetings.

The commission is meant to present results to the legislature on the new legislative districts within three months of being formed, as agreed upon by commission members earlier this year. Commission members noted they would like to be through with the process before the end of March, giving the county a chance to write a local law with the new districts. 

This process could be extended to the end of April contingent on a county legislature vote to grant the commission a one-month extension.

A government system that features legislators who represent specific districts and at-large members is found in other New York counties such as Orleans County, said legislature clerk Savannah Hempstead. Instituting such a system in the current redistricting process would be possible, as the commission is tasked with crafting a local law that stipulates legislative boundaries and legislature composition for the next 10 years. 

“It is permissible because we have to write the reapportionment process in the local law as to who represents which district and how those districts will be represented,” she said. “It is all in how the local law is written.”

Hempstead noted even with the inclusion of at-large seats, every district would still have to abide by the same rules regarding the number of residents per district. She added having at-large seats in areas like the city of Cortland could help keep the city’s wards and county districts aligned.

Three members of the commission’s advisory committee expressed their support for a legislature with fewer seats, following calls at previous meetings to explore legislative maps with 13 districts. With 13 legislative seats, each district would have to include 3,601 residents and stay within a 5 percent margin of that number. 

“When I look at the maps, to me, 13 feels right,” said committee member Forrest Earl. He noted that current voter turnout numbers suggest only one-third of registered voters actually exercise their franchise. Earl pulled the number from a package of election results compiled by Hempstead. In his example, Earl said only approximately 600 residents per district actually vote in Legislature elections. 

Village of Homer mayor Hal McCabe and County Business Development Corporation Economic Development Specialist Eric Mulvihill sided with Earl in asking for a 13-member legislature, although they noted they were open to exploring the inclusion of at-large seats.

In response to Earl’s example, legislator Cathy Bischoff (D-LD-3) said legislators represent residents in their district regardless of their participation in local elections.  

“We have to remind ourselves that you are still responsible for all of the residents in your district,” she said. “They will still call you regardless of whether or not they voted or are registered to vote. They should because that is who you represent as a legislator.”

Regarding at-large seats, legislators Kelly Preston (LD-10), George Wagner (R-LD-15) and Kevin Fitch (R-LD-8) all noted they already aid residents of the county across the board. 

“My representation is not limited to my district,” Wagner said. “Technically, I am at-large. I get calls from all over the county. The whole idea is I represent people whether they live in my district or not. Everyone deserves representation by a county legislator.”

County resident and advisory committee member Danielle Wimbish spoke in favor of maintaining the current 17-member legislature.

“I know it is a tough job, but not many people have the time, dedication and patience to truly understand their local government,” she said. “Seventeen seems about right to me. There are a lot of people out there who have not had the time to be involved in the local government.”