Below: Former Governor (state Senator) Dick Codey Testimony for the February 9, 2022, Public Meeting of the New Jersey Legislative Apportionment Commission.

Democratic Chairman Jones, Republican Chairman Barlas, Honorable Judge Carchman and esteemed members of the Commission:

I currently represent the 27th Legislative District, comprised of municipalities in Essex and Morris Counties.

The current 27th District is nearly ideal in terms of size. With a population of approximately 233,779, this is only 1,554 over the ideal district size. This is a deviation of less than one-half of one (.05) percentage point. Our district well reflects the diversity of our State, with communities that are racially and economically diverse.

Under the proposed maps, all the Morris County municipalities would be removed from the 27th. I believe this would be a loss not only for the voters in these areas, but also across the County. In the current configuration, my district mates and I are the only Democratic representatives in a County where Democratic registration has grown significantly over the course of the last decade.

Currently, out of 392,192 registered voters, the breakdown is as follows:

Democrat:       29%

Republican:     34%

Unaffiliated:    37%

We have given a voice to the many voters who wish to see their values represented and added to the dialogue in a county that otherwise has one-party representation. The registration numbers demonstrate the need for balance. In terms of competitiveness and partisan fairness, neither proposed map envisions a district in Morris that lends itself to Democratic representation.

I have worked to build bipartisan relationships in Morris County, partnering with local and county officials to best serve our constituents. In the past decade, we have been able to represent the interests of these municipalities and the county at large by working with our fellow representatives across the aisle.

Alternatively, there is an opportunity to create a district where the municipalities of western Essex County could be brought together into a single District. The proposed maps take Caldwell and Essex Fells from the 27th, and instead add the Township of Irvington and the Union County Township of Hillside.

Maintaining Caldwell, Essex Fells, Livingston, Maplewood, Millburn, Roseland, South Orange, and West Orange, while adding Cedar Grove, Fairfield, North Caldwell, Verona and West Caldwell would bring together a community of interest, that being western Essex.

I ask that you consider these points when finalizing the maps that will impact the representation of our constituents for the remainder of the decade.

Thank you again for your service.