Republicans took control of the Legislature in 2009 and are now in charge of redrawing the Legislature’s lines. Presiding Officer Peter Schmitt of Massapequa has said that the lines must be redrawn within six months of the release of the U.S. Census, according to the county charter. Schmitt said he expects the county’s redrawn legislative map to be adopted within weeks after a public hearing.

Legislators align with parties

The Democrats’ main argument against the redistricting, which does seem drawn up in a way that would splinter Democratic voting blocks, is that the redrawing should be undertaken by a bipartisan commission and fully vetted through a series of public hearings. They claim they followed this process in 2003.

“It is required that a redistricting be done based on the 2010 census data. What I question, though … is the timing,” said Legislator Robert Troiano (D-Westbury), who represents Legislative District 2, which presently includes Lakeview and part of West Hempstead. “I don’t believe that there’s a requirement that this plan be adopted now. I think the issue about whether a new plan has to be submitted this year is something that is subject to interpretation and will be litigated.”

The Legislature scheduled a public hearing on the subject for May 9 and plans to vote on it on May 16.

“The shape of districts impacts communities for the next 10 years,” Troiano said. “There ought to be ample time given to consider what the impact is on communities. … To create a new district … in three weeks and provide the public only one opportunity to opine on that plan, I think, is unfair to the community given how important redistricting is.”