NY Senate Dems, Citing More Votes, Push GOP
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) -- Democrats in New York's Senate say election records show they received 240,000 more votes than the Republicans in the 2010 elections, proving the GOP majority must embrace nonpartisan redrawing of election districts -- again.
Democratic Sen. Michael Gianaris of Queens says he believes the Republicans will contort district lines to put Democrats at a disadvantage, even though more voters supported his party.
The Democrats claim Republicans have been waffling since last fall's elections on their promise to support an independent redistricting commission. The majorities in each house of the Legislature have traditionally redrawn districts to favor their incumbents. The process starting soon will set district lines for the next 10 years.
Republicans say they are still looking into how to accomplish truly independent redistricting.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
