East Meadow, Salisbury Unaffected by Redistricting Vote

Tuesday's to approve the redistricting in Nassau County will not affect either East Meadow or Salisbury.

Nassau Republicans pushed forward with their plan to redistrict the county, passing an amended map that Democrats say is clear gerrymandering into law, 10-8.

East Meadow and Salisbury both remain part of District 13, ran by Legis. Norma Gonsalves, R-East Meadow. All of North Bellmore and North Merrick now falls into the district as well.

Gonsalves, who voted for the redistricting, says that these changes were necessary.

"East Meadow will still have Norma at its representative," Gonsalves said. "I voted for this because the law is the law. Section 112 is mandatory."

Gonsalves stressed that another reason she voted for the change was the deviation between the most populous district to least populous district, which previously sat at 22.7 percent.

"According to federal courts, any deviation of more than 10 percent is discriminatory," Gonsalves added. "It would be violating the equal protection clause of the constitution."

Republicans had tabled the proposed redistricting last week after a New York State Supreme Court judge issued a temporary restraining order on the process, but an appeals court judge stayed the order, allowing the legislature to move forward.