'No' To A Jewish Super District

The current New York State Senate redistricting map championed by the Republican majority calls for the establishment of what has been characterized as a super Jewish district. Under the plan, Orthodox Jewish neighborhoods, spanning four separate districts but which have recently exhibited Republican tendencies, would be redistricted into one district with an overwhelming majority of Orthodox Jews. We believe this plan to be ill advised.

Currently, though they do not constitute a majority, Orthodox voters have become so pivotal in the various districts that elected official must take notice of their concerns. The new plan would replace that reality with just one district in which just one elected official would have to take notice.

Proponents of the new plan say that since Republicans have scant chance of being elected in Brooklyn, the new super district would guarantee the election of a Republican and ensure a State Senate Republican majority that has pledged to do the Orthodox community’s bidding.

It’s an argument that on its face may sound compelling, but it seems to us that when it comes to providing for constituents’ needs, four points of access are better than one.