Albany, NY – In a significant step toward a more representative and equitable judicial system, Assemblymember Jon D. Rivera today announced the passage of legislation to restructure judicial districts within New York State’s Fourth Judicial Department, which includes Western New York.

Under the New York State Constitution, the Legislature is authorized once every ten years to “increase or decrease the number of judicial districts or alter the composition of judicial districts.” This state constitutional authority was last utilized by the Legislature in 2007, when it amended the judiciary law to create the 13th district consisting only of Richmond County in Staten Island. It was also used in Bronx County in 1981, when the 12th Judicial District was created.

Despite significant population swings and demographic shifts within Western New York, the region’s judicial districts have not been adjusted in decades to reflect the changes. Rivera’s bill (A.8883), passed by both the State Assembly and Senate, takes the long-overdue step of acknowledging the demographic and population realities within the Fourth Department.

This effort will result in better representation for rural counties, which historically have not had equitable judicial representation within the Fourth Department. This imbalance has contributed to a system that favors geographic majorities over regional representation.

Erie, Monroe, and Onondaga counties alone represent 57% of the department’s total population and each has a population that is more than 25% people of color. Yet despite these demographics, a 2024 survey conducted by the Office of Court Administration revealed alarming disparities on the bench: out of 67 total in the department, only two identified as Black, and none identified as Hispanic or Asian.

By realigning judicial districts to better reflect population centers and demographic distribution, the new structure creates a judicial landscape that respects the unique needs of both urban and rural communities while correcting a long-standing structural barrier to inclusive representation in New York’s court system.

Assemblymember Jon D. Rivera said, “Our judicial system should reflect the populations it serves. This legislation creates a more equitable and accurate system by giving the citizens of Western New York counties the opportunity to elect justices who truly reflect their communities. For far too long, the structure of the Fourth Department has not been representative of the populations being served. This bill ensures that our courts reflect the people who come before them.”

Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes said, “I'm proud to vote with my Assembly Majority colleagues in favor of increasing judicial representation in Erie, Monroe and Ononadaga counties in New York State's Fourth Judicial District. The imbalanced disparities and data speak for itself, and this bill will make a noticeable impact towards offering better reflection of population centers and demographics.”