State Sen. O'Toole Talks Redistricting

State Senator Kevin O'Toole said that legislative redistricting is on the state’s agenda after the release of results from the 2010 Census. O'Toole spoke to group of 80 residents this week about the issue. O'Toole represents the state's 40th Legislation District, of which Wayne is a member.

The event, held in Wyckoff, was hosted by the West Bergen Tea Party.

O’Toole said redistricting is mandated by the New Jersey State Constitution following any census. A commission of five Republicans and five Democrats will redistrict the state New Jersey. O’Toole is one of the Republicans serving on this New Jersey Apportionment Commission.

However, it is expected that an agreement will not be met, so the constitution calls for an eleventh member, who was appointed by the Chief Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court.

O’Toole confirmed that Alan Rosenthal, a political science professor from Rutgers University who specializes in State legislatures, State politics, State policymaking and Legislative ethics, will be the eleventh person. He served on the committee in 1991 following the 1990 Census.

O’Toole was pleased with his choice and believed he will be a fair.

“We want to avoid what happened in 2001,” said O’Toole, when Newark and Jersey City were “unconstitutionally” divided during the redistricting process.

 “The law requires that a city is not to be divided,” said O’Toole.

He asked that citizens attend meetings and voice their support for a “constitutionally correct map.”

O’Toole said his goal was to keep a unified Republican party front during this redistricting.

“If we have to blow up a district [that was in Republican control] for the good of the party, we need to do it. Everyone needs to sacrifice,” he said.

He added his belief that by making districts competitive to both Republicans and Democrats, a stagnant incumbency can be prevented.

O’Toole also reached out to his party’s constituents.

“The state is 54 percent Republican, it does not make sense that Republicans only control 41 percent of that,” he said. “We want to get people involved and we need people attending these public meetings, contacting their representatives.”

Mahwah Councilwoman Lisa DiGiulio, who attended, agreed and said the legislature needed to be more transparent with citizens.

“Legislators need to explain to the people why they supported the bills they do, as well as explain the pros and cons of each action,” she said.

“Most people do not understand how the process works, and they need to be informed.”

Wyckoff Mayor Kevin Rooney agreed with DiGiulio.

“Having him here talking about this is extremely important, because how can any voter affect change without the right information?” he said.

Susan Winton, who helped organize the event, echoed both the sentiments of DiGiulio and Rooney.

“I think it is wonderful to have Senator O’Toole here,” Winton said. “He was able to provide valuable information and answer our questions.”

By law, it is required the map to be redistricted and approved by the end of March.

Residents with further questions about redistricting can visit this site or his site.

For further information visit Ballotpedia’s site here.