“Voters Encouraged to VOTE YES For Legislature Redistricting” Proposal Number Eight on the November 5, 2013 Ballot Wednesday, October 09, 2013
ELMIRA – The Chemung County Legislature voted unanimously September 23, 2013 to adopt a local law to allow for the redrawing of legislative district boundaries. The Legislature is required by law following the census every ten years, to examine the population in each district and redraw boundaries to make up for population shifts. The County Charter requires that each of the 15 legislative districts within the County represent the same number of constituents within five percent of the median population.
The County Charter further requires the amended boundaries be approved by the voters. The referendum to redraw the legislative district boundaries will be the final proposition on the November 5, 2013 ballot and will be identified as Proposal Number Eight. The plan and maps showing the revised district boundaries are available online at www.chemungcounty.com. Click here to view the map and plans. Large maps are available for review in the Legislative Chambers, Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm located on the 5th Floor of the Hazlett Building, 203 Lake Street in Elmira.
Chemung County Legislature Chair Donna L. Draxler said, “Fair and equal representation of all districts in the County is one of the foundations of democracy. Re-districting ensures all districts are close to the same in population and each district receives equal representation. We encourage all voters to VOTE YES for Proposal Number Eight.”
15th District Legislator Rodney J. Strange added, “the County Charter requires districts to be within 5% of each other in population and this re-districting proposal will achieve that.” Strange urged voters to VOTE YES for Proposal #8 on November 5th so a re-vote will not have to take place. “It cost approximately $95,000 to hold a county-wide vote. If this proposal is not passed on Election Day, we will have to have another vote soon after because all county legislative seats are up for election in 2014 and the district boundaries must be set before petitions begin to be circulated in early June 2014,” Strange said.
Sample ballots can be viewed on the Chemung County Board of Election’s website. Click here to view your sample ballot