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Lawmakers discuss charter change to set odd-numbered legislature after redistricting
Summary
Several legislators asked the county attorney to draft a proposed local law to change the county charter so the legislature would have an odd number of seats (options discussed included 11, 13 or 15) following the 2020-2024 redistricting process; no formal referendum or final action was taken at the Jan. 6 meeting.
Tompkins County legislators discussed whether to pursue a local law to set an odd-numbered legislature after the decennial redistricting process and asked the county attorney to prepare draft language for consideration.
Legislator Mike (full name recorded elsewhere in committee documents as Mike Sigler) outlined the history: Tompkins County has revised its number of legislative seats following censuses, including reducing seats after 2010 from 15 to 14; the independent redistricting commission recommended increasing to 16 after the 2020 census. Mike said he would like the county attorney to prepare a proposed local law to change the charter to an odd number of seats, suggesting 11, 13 or 15 as possible targets.
County Attorney Maury was asked for guidance on whether a charter change would require a public referendum. Maury did not provide a final determination at the meeting and will advise the committee on legal requirements. "I don't think it does, but I'm not sure of that. And so I'm gonna have to, look to, Maury for advice on that," Mike said when introducing the idea.
Several legislators spoke to advantages and concerns. Legislator Susan said the current shifting seat count is confusing to voters and raised concerns about the experience levels of potential candidates in newly drawn districts. Legislator Greg urged attention to keeping municipalities intact within districts to preserve relationships between legislators and town or village governments. Legislator Alex (name used in discussion) said the commission's mathematical approach led to unusual configurations that increased the likelihood of campus-centered seats with few permanent residents.
No formal motion to change the charter was adopted on Jan. 6; the committee discussed next steps and expressed interest in seeing proposed draft language from the county attorney for further consideration.
Next steps: request county attorney Maury to draft a proposed local law with options to set the legislature at an odd number of seats; committee members signaled intent to discuss drafts at a future meeting and to consider the process for public referendum if required.
