Redistricting: Public Hearings in August for New Proposed City Council Districts

Written by DFNYC Vice President Jen Berkley:

Now that all the New York State redistricting Court fights and Albany legislative deals have ended, the New York City begins the process for drawing new Council Districts. The way the lines are drawn can change who controls the city and what laws get passed, impacting every New Yorker's quality of life.

The NYC Districting Commission, whose 15 members are appointed by the City Council and Mayor Michael Bloomberg, has planned public hearings starting next week to lay the groundwork for drafting new City Council District lines. These hearings are not getting as much attention as we think they should and it would be great for DFNYCers to get involved in this process. 

 

The NYC Districting Commission will hold five public hearings from Aug. 13 to Aug. 23. These hearings are open to the public. The purpose of these hearings is for the Commission to hear testimony from the public concerning the initial phases of its work in drafting a new districting plan for the New York City Council. Individuals wishing to pre-register for speaking time or to submit written testimony in advance may do so by signing up online here. Individuals wishing to speak at the hearings will be provided up to three minutes of speaking time. For a wealth of information on this process, check out the Brennan Center for Justice's website here.

Brooklyn
Date: Monday, Aug. 13th
Time: 5PM-9PM
Place: Brooklyn Borough Hall, 209 Joralemon St., Brooklyn

Manhattan
Date: Thursday, Aug. 16th  
Time: 5PM-9PM
Place: New York Law School, 185 West Broadway, Manhattan

Staten Island
Date: Monday, Aug. 20th
Time: 5PM-9PM
Place: Staten Island Borough Hall, 10 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island

Queens
Date: Tuesday, Aug. 21st
Time: 5PM-9PM
Place: Queens Library at Flushing, 41-17 Main St., Flushing
 
Bronx
Date: Thursday, Aug. 23rd
Time: 5PM-9PM
Place: Lehman College, 250 Bedford Park Boulevard West, East Dining Room, Music Building, Bronx