After weeks of political sparring over the redistricting process, Onondaga County legislators Friday approved a map of new district boundaries proposed by Republicans by a 9 to 8 vote.

“I put forth the independent redistricting commission law 16 months ago," said Democratic County Legislator Christopher Ryan. "I have been working on this probably the last five years. I think citizens and independent citizens, void of political affiliations, political parties, should draw the maps. I will always believe, and we won't have the chance to do it for another 10 years, that politicians should not be drawing the maps. That’s a theme that’s not just here, but everywhere.” 

Despite County Executive Ryan McMahon calling redistricting a political process, Ryan said it didn't have to be.

“We could have put forth a better product here, which the vote was defeated and we didn’t, but to just call it a political process and say we need to move on from it, I think is non-reflective of good government,” Ryan said.

“I totally agree with Chris’ comments that it shouldn’t be a political process. It’s the politics that muddy the water with what we do," Majority Leader Brian May said. "But make no mistake, the legislature is a separate branch of government. What happens here is the only thing that matters. We can’t take responsibility from any commentary from the outside.” 

Redistricting will not occur again for 10 years.