Despite federally mandated redistricting that has placed Tompkins County in a more conservative district, the three candidates in the Democratic primary to represent the Ithaca area in Congress said they are confident in their ability to defeat incumbent Rep. Tom Reed (R-N.Y.) and carry the new 23rd congressional district.

After New York State lost two congressional seats in 2010 as a result of slow population growth, new data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that the state continues to see sluggish growth rates. In fact, the bureau estimates that more than half of upstate counties have fewer residents than in 2010, according to a University press release.

Judges ordered New York State to adopt a federally drafted congressional redistricting plan on March 19. The new plan will eliminate two congressional districts, including the New York 22nd District, which currently contains Tompkins County.

Congressional redistricting plans released by federal magistrate judge Roanne Mann on Monday would put Tompkins County in a district stretching to Chautauqua County on the shore of Lake Erie, according to documents released by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York.

Under plans proposed by both the New York State Senate and the New York State Assembly, the state’s 22nd Congressional District — which contains Tompkins County — will be eliminated.

The City of Ithaca’s redistricting commission voted on Wednesday to select a plan to redraw district lines based on four wards. The commission is also tasked with districting a plan with five wards but has not yet done so.

Rather than pushing forward an aggressive redistricting plan based solely on limited turnout, members of the commission should work with students to improve student involvement in the community.