(Utica, NY – Jan. 27, 2012)  Every 10 years after the U.S. Census data is released, Utica must redraw the boundaries of its council districts to address any changes in population concentration. To address the six districts in Utica, Councilman Zecca will propose legislation to the full Council calling for the formation of an Independent Citizens Redistricting Committee to help draw the new district boundaries. The committee will be required to hold public hearings and accept public comment.

One of the greatest powers that the people have is the right to elect their own representatives to conduct the business of their government. How the district boundaries are configured can make the difference between empowering and maximizing the voters’ voices or minimizing and muting those voices. The independent Citizens Redistricting committee will be committed to drawing fair districts that reflect the best interests of the people. Historically, Council members drew the district boundaries in closed meetings, often favoring incumbents or their own party.

 

PROPOSED RESOLUTION 12/1/12

City of Utica

Sponsored by Councilman Zecca

 

CREATION OF AN INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMITTEE

 

WHEREAS, the United States Federal Census was conducted in 2010, and the results of the census for the City of Utica have now been published, and

 

WHEREAS, the Common Council has discussed the redistricting process to determine a recommendation to be used for reapportioning legislative districts and came to consensus that the Common Council should appoint an Independent Redistricting Committee to prepare a reapportionment plan to present to the Utica Common Council for approval, now therefore be it.

 

RESOLVED, that an Independent Redistricting Committee is hereby created and shall consist of nine (9) members to be recommended by each member of the Common Council and appointed by the Common Council by way of         Resolution; and

 

RESOLVED, further, that the Chair of the Commission shall be appointed by the Common Council and the Vice Chair elected by the Commission; and

 

RESOLVED, further, that the Mayor shall designate appropriate staff to assist the Commission in its work; and

 

RESOLVED, further, That no currently-serving elected municipal official, officers of any political party, or officers of any political committee, shall be appointed as members of the Commission, and that the members of the Commission shall be City residents, registered voters, and shall be knowledgeable about the City of Utica and about government and electoral processes; and

 

RESOLVED, further, that members of the Committee must be willing to work cooperatively and in a non-partisan manner to prepare a reapportionment plan that is fair and unbiased; and

 

RESOLVED, further, that members of the Committee will develop the reapportionment plan in the manner described in and consistent with the Charge or other relevant provisions in the City Charter.

 

To: City of Utica Residents

 

From: Councilman at-Large Jim Zecca

 

Re: Councilman Zecca’s thoughts on redistricting City of Utica Council Districts in the City of Utica

 

Date: January 27, 2011

 

Traditionally, redistricting is done by incumbent politicians who are anxious to protect their seats and discourage competitive elections.

Why are we talking about redistricting now?

The Utica City Charter – the city’s governing document – requires City Council to redraw the boundaries of its six districts. Census Bureau releases information on the city’s population. The Census Bureau does this every 10 years. The last time redistricting was done was in 2001; the next time will be in 2021.

So this is the year for redistricting?

Yes. Remember the census form you filled out a while ago? The Census Bureau took the information from everyone’s forms and came up with very detailed statistics on who lives in Utica– all across the city down to specific neighborhoods and even individual blocks. The information can be sliced and diced many different ways, including by ethnicity, race, age and gender. This data is used for many purposes, including for redistricting.

Why does it matter what district I live in?

Because City Council has a say in virtually everything that goes on in Utica – taxes, city services, even what gets built here. If you have a problem doing business with the city, or if you just want to express your opinion, chances are your district Council member is the person you go to.

I no have a new district Council member. Will that person be involved in redistricting?

Redistricting will be done by the current members of Council.

Does the Charter tell Council how to do redistricting?

Not really. The Charter says only that each of the six Council districts must have “as nearly as possible” the same number of people. Why does it matter if each district has the same number of people? So that no one person’s vote counts more than another person’s vote. That makes sense.

How many people are in each district?

The city’s population is 62,235. Each of the 6 Council districts should have give-or-take 10,373 people (62,235 million divided by 6).

 

What does “ward or contiguous wards” mean?

A ward is a political division. Utica is divided into Wards. Contiguous wards must share a boundary. That means a Council District cannot have one ward in North Utica and another ward in South Utica. If a Council district contains more than one ward – and all of them do – the wards must “touch” one another.

If the current Council districts have the right number of people – and the wards are contiguous – why change anything?

Since the census comes out only every 10 years, there are always shifts in population. Some districts gain residents; others lose them. The boundaries may not move much – and maybe not at all. But usually some changes need to happen. See District census report below:

What is gerrymandering?

Gerrymandering refers to a process where district lines are deliberately drawn in order to achieve a specific political outcome. If the shape of a district is very odd – as are some of our districts – they tend to be characterized as “gerrymandered” districts. (By the way, the term “gerrymander” was coined by a reporter who described a district drawn by Massachusetts Governor Elbridge Gerry in 1812 as a salamander.)

How can district lines be drawn to achieve a certain outcome?

Saving incumbents is an open secret in redistricting. Lines can be drawn to keep potential challengers – or constituencies – outside the district. Or to keep voters who belong to the same political party as the incumbent inside the district. Legend has it that a former politician realized his days in the U.S. Congress were numbered when his house ended up in one district and his garage in another.

Does the mayor have a role in redistricting?

Yes, at the tail end of the process. After Council passes a redistricting plan (via legislation), it goes to the mayor. If he approves it, the plan becomes law. If he vetoes it, the plan goes back to Council. Unless Council has the votes to override his veto, they have to go back to the drawing board and come up with another plan. There is a third option: the mayor can do nothing (neither approve nor veto the redistricting plan). In that case, the plan passed by Council becomes law.

Doesn’t it make sense to involve the mayor at the front end of the redistricting process?

The Council plans should call for getting input from the Mayor early in the redistricting process and throughout Council’s deliberations on the plan. It would be better for everyone if the two sides can reach a consensus to avoid any problems.

What does Councilman Zecca’s plan call for?

Councilman Zecca recommends that all 9 members of Council (the 6 district members and the three at-large members, who represent citywide voters) form a Independent Citizen Redistricting Committee to decide how the redistricting process will happen, conduct hearings in each of the six Council districts and keep the public up-to-date on the redistricting process on its website.

Why do the at-large members have a say in redistricting?

Although the at-large members don’t represent districts, their job is to look out for the interests of all city voters. And their vote on redistricting has the same weight as the vote of a district Council member.

If redistricting is all about who represents me, couldn’t I have a say in how it happens?

The Charter doesn’t give the public any formal role in redistricting, other than through their Council representative. The rules of Council only require public comment at hearings and just before a plan is finally approved.

What can I do if I want a bigger say in redistricting?

You can let your district Council member – and the three at-large members – know how you feel about the way Council is handling – or not handling – redistricting. Elected officials do pay attention to the calls, emails, and letters they get from constituents. If you aren’t sure who represents you in Council, or how to contact them, go to the City of Utica website.

Just out of curiosity: isn’t redistricting happening at the state level too?

Yes, New York has a Legislative Reapportionment Commission that is in the process of drawing the boundaries for the state’s legislative districts to reflect population changes.

Speaking about other cities, do other cities do a better job of redistricting?

Cities handle redistricting in different ways. For instance, Boston has a Committee on Census and Redistricting within City Council that solicits public input before they come up with a redistricting plan. Los Angeles has an Advisory Redistricting Commission – with members selected by Council members, the mayor, the District Attorney and City Controller – that submits a plan to its City Council for consideration. Minneapolis’ Redistricting Commission, whose members are predominately chosen by City Council and the major political parties, submits a plan that must be accepted by City Council. Finally, Baltimore’s mayor sends a redistricting plan to City Council – not the other way around.

How can I keep up with what’s happening on redistricting?

Councilman Zecca plans to urge the Common Council to keep the public fully informed on redistricting by making hearing minutes, proposed maps and other written materials available online on a dedicated and prominent page on the city’s website.

 

 

 

 

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