A redistricting lawsuit filed by the Onondaga County Democratic Committee will move forward following a ruling Thursday by a state supreme court judge. The OCDC argues that the legislative maps were illegally drawn by Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon and his staff in late 2021, and rushed to a vote in the legislature. McMahon's effort to have the lawsuit dismissed was denied.
In a release, OCDC Chair Max Ruckdeschel said he's pleased that Judge Joe Lamendola allowed their arguments against the current maps to go forward.
"First, that they were not legally created because the county executive and his staff have no authority to draw district maps and propose them to the legislature for approval," Ruckdeschel said. "Secondly, that the maps as drawn are unconstitutional and do not follow the requirements of municipal home rule law. I look forward to the successful conclusion of this lawsuit with a ruling that the current maps are null and void."
In its lawsuit, the committee said the redistricting process was rushed, and the resulting map was racially and politically gerrymandered. Public comment at several hearings was almost universally opposed to the map and the process.
The ongoing legal battle could begin to impact legislature races if it drags on much later into the year.
