Some residents in Islip Town on Long Island say the newly drawn Town Council districts will lead to a gerrymandered voting map.
Islip agreed to abandon its at-large voting system in favor of newly drawn council districts to settle a federal voting rights case that alleged Latinx voters were disenfranchised.
Brentwood, North Bay Shore and part of Central Islip — where most of the Town’s Latinx voters live — will become one district. That supposedly ensures Latinx representation on the town board.
But some residents say the newly drawn map dilutes Democratic votes and unfairly splits communities.
About one third of Islip is Latinx. Most Long Island towns vote at-large. That system is often criticized for discriminating against communities of color.
