Mineola Village Mayor Sues Town Of N. Hempstead Over Redistricting

MINEOLA VILLAGE, NY—Mineola Village Mayor Paul Pereira, along with two Republican council members from the Town of North Hempstead, filed a federal complaint against the town, alleging the newly adopted redistricting is "unconstitutional and unlawful."

The complaint, filed on Oct. 14, names as plaintiffs Mayor Pereira, councilmen Dennis Walsh and David Adhami, and James McHugh. They suit says that the redistricting "by the Democratic-controlled Town of North Hempstead constituted a complete railroading of the process."

The redrawing of district lines reflects updated 2020 Census demographic information in the town. The three plaintiffs argue in the suit that the new lines are less compact than they should be, split Mineola Village in half, and swap two district numbers, shortening Adhami's term.

The new district map is scheduled to become official in 2024. District maps are redrawn every ten years by the town.

North Hempstead spokesperson Gordon Tepper told Patch that although the town has not yet formally received the complaint, the redistricting will not affect council member terms.

"All six council members have four-year terms, and nobody's term is being extended or shortened based on redistricting," he said.

Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena's office shared a statement supporting the complaint with Patch:

“The redistricting process in North Hempstead has been poisoned by the majority council members on the Town Board in an effort to deprive residents of their voting rights. This is evidenced by the majority council members removal of three redistricting committee members who have been historically appointed by the Supervisor. Sadly, the only logical conclusion regarding this action is that the majority council members are engaging in overtly partisan politics."