Lead the way, New York
Newly released census numbers contained a pleasant surprise: New York added population in the decade following 2010.
The small gain, though, wasn’t enough to keep the state from once again losing a congressional seat. Meanwhile, downstate has generally gained residents while many areas upstate remain locked in a long slide.
Among the consequences of the changes is this: The upcoming redrawing of legislative and congressional districts is likely to be contentious — and the temptation to play games in drawing them will be strong.
Gerrymandering, of course, is how politics has long been played by both political parties, leading to districts with notoriously absurd shapes. And with Republicans controlling most state legislatures nationally, there are predictions that congressional districts redrawn to favor the GOP will be all the party needs to retake the House.
For Democrats in Albany, then, the temptation will be to fight fire with fire. Rather than draw fair districts that are compact, contiguous and make visual sense, they’ll be tempted to gerrymander out a Republican or two.
Self-interest will also be at work, of course, given that legislative districts drawn to the benefit of Democrats could solidify party majorities in the state Assembly and Senate, perhaps guaranteeing one-party rule.
But Democrats must resist the temptation. They must let New York’s “independent” commission, tasked with fairly redrawing the lines, do its work without interference.
After all, it’s an abuse of power when a political party manipulates how election districts are drawn and essentially chooses which voters it wants. Worse, the scheming contributes to a sense among voters that a rigged system isn’t worth trusting, or participating in.
Uncompetitive districts also lead to extremism and discourage bipartisanship, because they require politicians cater only to their base. Even a glance at Congress shows how destructive growing partisanship has been. Competitive districts, by contrast, are good for democracy.
New York can show the nation a better way. Lawmakers can say that in this state, at least, elected officials are committed to fairness.
Yes, we know that probably sounds pollyannish. History tells us that politicians, Republicans and Democrats alike, can’t be trusted with this process.
But voters have said they want something better, approving a system in 2014 that creates a commission composed of both Democrats and Republicans to draw proposed maps. The Legislature can either approve the lines — or draw them anew.
There’s a big role ahead for incoming Gov. Kathy Hochul, who could veto the maps chosen by lawmakers. As part of the new and more ethical tone she says she intends to set, Ms. Hochul could insist lawmakers set gerrymandering aside.
Doing so would be good for New York. It would also be good for democracy.