Activists Call on Ball to Honor Redistricting Pledge

Dozens of activists from several organizations united in a rally at the Riverfront Green in Peekskill Saturday to urge state Sen. Greg Ball (R, C-Patterson) to honor his pledge to support independent redistricting.  

Ball was among the members of the state legislature to sign the Ed Koch NY Uprising pledge last year, promising to pass and independent redistricting reform bill during the current legislative session in order for it to take effect in time for the 2012 elections.

Bill Samuels, founder of the New Roosevelt Initiative, said Ball has backpedaled on that pledge and blocked Independent Redistricting bills.

“Saying that you’re in favor of a Constitutional Amendment that will have no practical effect on independent redistricting reform until 2022 does not fulfill the pledge, which clearly states that you will vote for redistricting reform in the current session to take effect in 2012,” Samuels said in a press release.

On his website, Ball called the rally a "sideshow... financed by New York City Democrat operatives." 

"Unfortunately, I think they are either misinformed or lost, because I have supported and passed constitutional, fair, non-partisan redistricting in the Senate and I would further support truly independent redistricting based upon geography and demographics," Ball says on the site.

Ball represents parts of Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess counties.