PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. (WCAX) – Lawmakers in Plattsburgh are kicking the can down the road when it comes to redistricting the city’s six wards.
Plattsburgh officials have been scratching their heads about how to deal with a redistricting deadline that has long expired.
“When you have something that you are supposed to do but did not do it, you know, you should be up in arms about that,” said Plattsburgh Common Council member Jeff Moore, Ward-6. He says he isn’t pleased with how the decennial redistricting process has gone in the Lake City, one of the last in New York to finalize new ward maps from 2020 census numbers.
It’s a delay that Plattbrgh Mayor Chris Rosenquest says was communicated to county officials. “I personally do not see much controversy in this, mostly because this was communicated upfront, where we were at in the timeline and why this was delayed,” he said.
But Clinton County Republican Election Commissioner David Souliere says the city’s excuses don’t quite line up. “County redistricting was passed by the Legislature in December of 2022. So, ‘I have not seen that timetable’ is not a good excuse. The other truth is the city appointed this commission in April of 2023, so if they followed the law, that process is supposed to take six months in whole. So, at the end of the day, it still should have been done in October of 2023 at the latest,” he said.
The committee did produce a set of proposed maps to councilors but they were rejected. Now, the mayor believes city lawmakers aren’t required to do anything more, saying the city fulfilled its duty.
Souliere believes that could lead to legal action. “I can’t see an option of waiting until 2031 or 2032. It is a voter rights issue. At that point, it would definitely open the city up to a lawsuit,” he said.
If a new map was made now, there is concern it would cause an issue ahead of the April primary. Councilors say they will wait until after November to create a new committee, but Councilor Moore believes they should start now. “I do not think we should be waiting until after the election,” he said.
