Redistricting referendum could extend Democratic enrollment advantage

Newsday featured Shawn Donahue in a report on a proposed state constitutional amendment that would change how election districts are drawn, potentially giving New York Democrats an advantage for the next decade in state legislative and congressional elections. "Republicans are effectively cut out of the process either way, whether the amendment passes or not," said Shawn J. Donahue, a political scientist at UB who studies redistricting. "The proposed amendment makes it much easier for Democrats to adopt maps that benefit themselves. With the large legislative majorities, there is little incentive for the Democrats on the commission to cooperate with Republicans, since not agreeing on maps gives Democrats sole power over redistricting."