NY A06878

Creates a non-partisan five-member Apportionment Commission to replace the legislature's role in drawing state legislative and congressional districts, with members selected by the Temporary President of the Senate, Speaker of the Assembly, and both minority leaders, plus a fifth chair member chosen by the other four.

Establishes strict population equality standards requiring senate districts to vary no more than five percent from the average district population and congressional districts to vary no more than one percent, unless necessary to comply with other constitutional standards.

Requires districts to be as compact as possible, with aggregate boundary length not exceeding five percent more than the shortest possible length under any other plan consistent with constitutional standards.

Prohibits the Commission from considering political party affiliation, incumbent addresses, election results, or demographic data beyond population counts when drawing districts, and bans districts drawn to favor any political party, incumbent, or dilute voting strength of racial or language minorities.

Grants the State Supreme Court original jurisdiction over apportionment matters, allowing registered voters to petition within forty-five days of plan adoption, with the court having sixty days to rule and authority to order the Commission to prepare a new plan if inconsistent with constitutional or statutory requirements.