New York State Citizens Committee on Reapportionment Correspondence, Research, and Report File

Arranged by file unit (e.g. chronological correspondence file, alphabetical state file), then chronological by date or alphabetical by name or subject.

On June 15, 1964, the United States Supreme Court handed down several decisions declaring unconstitutional the apportionment plans in several states, including New York. In response, on July 12, Governor Nelson Rockefeller appointed a seven-member committee to study legal and governmental implications of certain questions relating to reapportionment in New York State.

Known as the Mulligan Committee for its chair, William Hughes Mulligan, the Committee studied such questions as: if reapportionment should be embodied in a constitutional amendment or statute; if a constitutional convention should be convened to consider a new reapportionment plan; how to measure population and whether a special census was needed; and whether to maintain or increase the length of term of legislators and the number of legislators.

The Committee studied these and related issues from July 23 until December 1, 1964, when it submitted its final report to the Governor. Among the Committee's recommendations were: an increase in the size of the legislature; an increase in the length of Senators' terms from two to four years; use of residents, citizens, or voters as measure of population for apportionment; Senate and Assembly district lines to be drawn by the legislature, respecting county lines where possible to comply with the Supreme Court requirement for population equality among districts; and changes in the Election Law and election procedures.

This series is the central file of correspondence, memoranda, and background materials maintained by the Committee in carrying out its studies and producing its report. The records reflect the Committee's charge to study and make recommendations on questions relating to reapportionment.

The series includes: 1) chronological file of copies of routine outgoing administrative correspondence; 2) minutes of Committee meetings and meetings with legislators and government officials; 3) alphabetical Committee name file consisting mainly of routine administrative correspondence to or from Committee members, Counsel, Associate Counsel, and consultants, but also containing: comments about or suggestions for the Committee's report by Committee members or state citizens; and memoranda and legal studies regarding apportionment; 4) printed U.S. Supreme Court decisions of June 15, 1964 resulting in reapportionment studies in New York and other states; 5) alphabetical state file of information on apportionment in other states containing: relevant portions of state constitutions; state and U.S. court decisions regarding apportionment in the state; correspondence with law departments and attorneys general in other states regarding court decisions on apportionment; legislative bills; apportionment and districting plans; and news clippings;

and 6) alphabetical name and subject file containing: correspondence to the Committee from citizens with suggestions for reapportionment; correspondence with government officials, lawyers, professors, politicians, and local government associations; court briefs, affidavits, and decisions in apportionment cases; League of Women Voters memoranda regarding apportionment; papers and speeches of experts; press releases and statements by or about the Committee regarding its establishment and work; mailing addresses of apportionment/districting experts; articles and news clippings; and report notes, outlines, and drafts.

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of this material.