Nassau Holding Meeting On Proposed Legislative Maps

NASSAU COUNTY, NY — This week, the Nassau County Legislature will hold a public meeting to discuss the proposed legislative district maps put forward by the Republican majority.

Every 10 years, after the census, the County Legislature redistricts to reflect the shifting population of Nassau. The latest proposal would drastically change the shape and locations of most districts.

The maps were designed by the county's Republican majority in the Legislature. Instead of using either of the maps put forward by the Temporary Districting Advisory Commission, which is made up of five Democrats and five Republicans, Legislative Republicans made their own maps.

The new maps undo some of the most egregious gerrymandering that was present in the districts from 10 years ago. The newly proposed districts are more contiguous, and contain more neighboring communities. But they are drastic changes from the current districts.

Contention from Democrats comes due to the changes to the districts of Minority Leader Kevan Abrahams and Legislator Debra Mule, who currently represent districts 1 and 5. Democrats say their districts are being changed demographically, and could redistrict them out of a seat come the next election.

The public meeting to discuss the proposed maps will be held on Feb. 16 at 6:30 p.m. at the Nassau County Legislative Building, located at 1550 Franklin Ave. in Mineola.

You can see the proposed legislative map here, and the current map here.

You can also compare the current and proposed districts with this tool from the CUNY Mapping Service.