Monroe County is still trying to reconfigure its legislative redistricting map.

On Thursday, County Executive Adam Bello released a new proposed map that features six majority Black districts.

This follows a veto and a back and forth between county leaders about drawing the redistricting maps.

"Throughout the redistricting process, I have remained steadfast in my commitment to maximizing opportunities for communities of color in Monroe County to elect their candidates of choice," Bello said in a statement. "Expert analysis confirmed this meant ensuring there were six minority-opportunity districts, and on October 21, I released an illustrative map demonstrating what that could look like. Though at the time, to my disappointment, the Legislature declined my invitation to begin negotiations and chose instead to charge forward with passing a legally flawed map, I am encouraged to see Legislature President Sabrina LaMar and the Republican Majority Caucus now recognize the need for a veto and the obligation we have to aim for a six minority-opportunity district map."

Bello says this new map ensures more effective representation of the county of a whole by maintaining the core of the six districts within the city that have provided the opportunity for Black voters to elect their candidates of choice, drawing districts that cross fewer municipal borders and by preserving neighborhoods within legislative districts, to better ensure that these communities of interest have a voice in the county legislature.

"I'm grateful that it took little more than 24 hours for the County Executive to embrace President Lamar's 6-Majority Black District map, making only modest changes," Legislator Rachel Barnhart said in a statement. "Some of them are good and some of them are concerning. But it appears we are finally in the touchdown zone, thanks to the advocacy and feedback of so many dedicated citizens. Let's get Crescent 2.0 over the finish line!"

Bello says he is ready to sign this into law if the legislature passes these new maps.

"My intention is to continue negotiations on this proposed map to ensure we are putting the community first and meeting the goals outlined above," Bello said. "My hope remains that we can come to an agreement. If the County Legislature is truly serious about passing a map with six majority Black districts that meets all legal standards, they should move quickly to pass this map. I stand ready to sign it into law."