Democratic lifeline

The Island Now

Last week a state Supreme Court Judge temporarily blocked the implementation of new electoral district lines in Nassau County that would have split Great Neck and reduced the number of Democratic incumbent districts. Both sides will be back in court on June 14 but the issue may not be resolved in time to affect elections next fall.

Misusing the latest census figures, the Republican Party, which barely won the majority in Nassau County, was hoping to redraw the lines so that there will be more Republican districts in the future. The politically based redistricting process makes a mockery of democracy. Both Republicans and Democrats have played this game and both parties should be ashamed.

For example, at the moment the entire Great Neck peninsula is currently represented by Judi Bosworth (D-Great Neck) in District 10. If the proposed redistricting goes through, Lake Success and a portion of University Gardens will cut off creating at least a marginally greater likelihood of electing a Republican representative.

With the population shifts shown in the recent census, a redistricting may be called for. But this should be done by an independent bipartisan commission whose goal will be the strengthening of democracy through lines dictated by common sense. The goal should not be increasing the power of any one political party.

A Blank Slate Media Editorial

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