The Legislature has until Sept. 22 to approve a redistricting map

GOSHEN – The Orange County Legislature voted 15-2 on Thursday at a special session to move its redistricting map to public comment, although some members are still disappointed with the process.

Republican Kevin Hines, an outspoken critic of the county’s often contentious redistricting process, and Democratic Minority Leader Michael Paduch voted against the proposal. Legislature Chairwoman Katie Bonelli and legislators Joel Sierra, Ron Feller, and Mike Anagnostakis did not attend the meeting.

“It was a long process, and several (lawmakers) are still unhappy,” said Legislator James O’Donnell, who sat on the county’s redistricting committee. “I think (Legislator) Kevin Hines has some legitimate complaints about how his district was changed and I wasn’t crazy about the company hired for redistricting (Applied Geographic). But, at the end of the day, there is no way you are going to get 21 (legislators) to agree on this. I’m happy to get it passed and look forward to hearing what residents think of the map.”

A public comment session on the county’s redistricting map will be held at 5pm on Tuesday, August 27th in the chambers. Barring any setbacks, the map will move forward to a full legislature vote for approval.

“We promised the public three maps and we only provided one which means we failed the residents,” said Hines, who represents Cornwall. “I think it is an epic failure.”

The redistricting map will be used in the upcoming November 2025 election. The law requires that every 10 years in the election cycle following the census, state and local government districts be redrawn.  All 21 county legislators are up for re-election next year and must run in new, reapportioned districts.

“I think there should have been three maps, but it would never have made it through committee,” Republican Legislator Janet Sutherland said. “It was a flawed process, but we came together and were able to move redistricting forward. I voted all along in the best interests of my constituents and the residents of Orange County.”