County Legislature approves redistricting maps (Maps inside)

(Photo via Cortland County).

Cortland County legislators voted Thursday to approve the proposed map of 15 legislators, which will change the composition of the legislature starting in 2027.

The move caps off a process that involved legislators and county officials drafting a new map and reaching out to municipal leaders seeking their input that started in 2021. The vote was unanimous outside of two legislators who were absent at the meeting.

Now, legislators say, redistricting will be up to the voters. There is a permissive referendum provision in the bill.

“This will be going to the public to have their say in this mandatory referendum,” said Legislative Minority Leader Beau Harbin (D). “So we will look forward to the public input on this, but we hope that we can move forward together for Cortland County.”

The redistricting maps approved by the Cortland County legislature on Thursday. (Photo via Cortland County).

As part of the apportionment process that occurs every 10 years after the U.S. Census figures are released, the county is sought 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. It 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, a 15-seat legislature means the district must stay within 5 percent more or less than approximately 3,120 residents. This number is the total Cortland County population divided by the 15 districts.

Legislator Cathy Bischoff (D-LD-3), also the redistricting commission co-chair, praised members of the commission for their hard work in trying to push the county through the mandatory redistricting process.

“I want to thank every single municipality that we visited,” she said. “They were very gracious and extremely hospitable. We had a good time, plain and simple. They taught us a lot about how to think about approaching governance.”

Harbin, along with legislator Kelly Preston (R-LD-10), who is also the redistricting commission co-chair, noted the commission struck a great compromise. Harbin noted some folks on the commission wanted to have a 13-person Legislature.

Not much is known about the referendum that voters would participate in to approve the local law. The law does state that the new district map shall not take effect until at least 45 days after its adoption.

Further details about the county’s next step in the redistricting map process have yet to be determined. The Cortland Voice will provide updates once they have been received.