The politicians pick their voters

The New York Times has a great editorial — along with a cool interactive map — showing just how sneaky the redistricting process has been in New York.

Mapmaking in Albany is a dark art form designed to make absolutely certain that incumbents in the majority party are safe from electoral competition (a k a democracy).

The North Country, according to the Times’ treatment, has been ground zero for some of the most awkward dodges — including the use of prisoners (who can’t vote) to pad the population in state Senator Betty Little’s district.

One of the most egregious examples, though, is the 51st Senate District, which sneaks up into the North Country by way of Herkimer County.

That district is so convoluted that it’s hard to imagine how anyone could argue that it exists for any reason other than the pleasure of politicians.

The Times is calling for a non-partisan panel to be created to handle redistricting in 2012. This panel would also shape congressional redistricting — deciding the fate of our NY-20 and NY-23 House seats.

What do you think? Should politicians get to draw the political map? Comment below.