With the 2020 Census underway, the Albany County Legislature is organizing its Commission on Redistricting, a non-partisan group that was created through local law in 2019 in order to determine the County’s future legislative districts.

The Legislature is seeking non-political qualified individuals to serve as members on the Commission and the Majority-Minority District Redistricting Subcommittee, who are tasked with making recommendations on how the districts of the Legislature should be drawn.

“For too long in Albany County, politics has played a role in how we redraw our legislative lines upon getting new Census info,” Chairman Andrew Joyce said. “It is our main objective this time around to create an independent process that is truly reflective of our County’s changing makeup.”

The County’s legislative districts must be adjusted in accordance with the relative population growth and shifts as indicated in the Census to ensure fair representation of all Albany County residents.

“I look forward to a Commission acting in a fair and responsible way that reflects the diversity of Albany County,” Majority Leader Dennis Feeney said.

Identifying members of the Commission is the first step the Legislature is taking since adopting Local Law 8 of 2019 to create a non-partisan, independent and participatory redistricting process.

“I am thrilled to be part of today’s announcement, which highlights the steps that the County Legislature is taking to move forward on our independent restricting plan. We expect the individuals who will serve on the Redistricting Commission to embrace the principles of the Voting Rights Act, and seek to empower all in the electoral process. It is a vital time right now to be especially attentive to the voting rights of those most disenfranchised in our nation and I look forward to our Redistricting Commission focusing on this,” stated Legislator Joanne Cunningham, sponsor of the 2019 local law.

“The Commission is vital to the process because it will allow interested members of the community to participate in a transparent process,” Deputy Chairwoman Wanda Willingham said. “Albany County has been involved in three redistricting lawsuits since 1990 that did not recognize changes in minority populations. Hopefully, this independent commission and subcommittee will keep Albany County out of the federal courts and avoid costly and burdensome lawsuits. The new lines will then go into effect for the next county legislative elections.”

The Legislature is hoping the new commission will help to avoid a repeat of 2015 when a federal judge ruled that the County redistricting map of 2011 violated the federal Voting Rights Act by diluting minority voting power. Senior U.S. Judge Lawrence Kahn gave the county three weeks to draft an additional district in which minority voters are a majority. The ruling gave the County a fifth majority-minority district.

The Albany County Commission on Redistricting will consist of nine members who will “work with experts in the areas of redistricting, law, county geography and other important elements that are key to securing a credible, responsive and accountable redistricting process and outcome.”

The Majority-Minority District Reapportionment Subcommittee will consist of seven members, to assist the Commission to ensure the fair representation of Albany County minority communities in all aspects of the redistricting process. The subcommittee will make recommendations to the Commission regarding the configuration of the minority districts, with the goal of protecting voting rights of minority residents and ensuring adequate electoral representation of minority residents residing in those districts.

Applicants will be disqualified for membership if they or a member of his/her immediate family has been appointed, elected or has been a candidate for political office; served as an officer, employee or paid consultant of a political party of the campaign committee of a candidate for elective office; served as a paid Congressional or State political appointee or employee of the State Legislature; been a paid employee or consultant for Albany County; or served as a registered lobbyist in New York State.