Roger Hannigan Gilson is reporting for the Times Union an Ulster County judge threw out the county's legislative district map December 13, after determining that it violated state requirements for redistricting. An independent committee appointed by the county Legislature was responsible for redrawing the district lines after the 2020 census to ensure the population was fairly represented. However, the committee misinterpreted a 2021 change in state law and drew the districts incorrectly. The lawsuit was filed by four members of various Democratic committees, citing the misinterpretation, as well as the splitting up of the town of Gardiner into separate districts, as grounds for the suit. In his order, state Supreme Court Justice Kevin R. Bryant said the map is unlawful and it "...does not comply with mandatory state requirements for redistricting." Bryant ordered the commission to reconvene no later than December 17, and to produce a final map by January 3. The commission must prepare a draft map by December 27, so a public hearing can be held. If the commission fails to finalize a new map by January 3, a special master will be appointed to draw it and Ulster County will have to pay the bill. Though the redistricting commission has been aware of its error for more than two months, county officials said they refused to reconvene until a lawsuit compelled them to do so. Ulster County Republican Board of Elections Commissioner John Quigley agreed the map was incorrectly drawn, but said last month he would not approve a new map unless it was court-ordered. Democrats were incensed that the map split the town of Gardiner into two separate districts, which diluted Democratic power in the county, according to Gardiner Democratic Committee Chairman Tom Kruglinski. The new district lines will not be applied until legislative elections in 2023. Read the full story in the Times Union.