Nassau's new district lines still in force

The new map of district lines approved late last month by Nassau County's Republican-controlled legislature remains in effect following a state appellate panel's decision in Brooklyn Thursday.

The four-judge 2nd Department appellate panel continued to block enforcement of a lower court order stopping the use of the new lines.

Democrats claim the new lines were drawn without the public input and deliberation called for in the county charter.

Democrats had sued to stop Republicans from adopting the new map and Acting State Supreme Court Justice Steven Jaeger, a Democrat, issued a temporary order blocking the Legislature's vote. Jaeger's order was stayed by Appellate Court Justice Joseph Covello, a Republican. After Republican county lawmakers approved the new lines, Jaeger blocked the election board from using them -- an order again stayed by Covello.

The appellate panel Thursday continued Covello's stay. Arguments on the overall merits of the case must be submitted to Jaeger by Tuesday.

Meanwhile, county legislative candidates began collecting signatures on nominating petitions Tuesday and must submit them by July 14 to get on the ballot for September's primary elections.

Republicans are hedging their bets by collecting signatures based on both the old lines and the new lines, GOP spokesman Anthony Santino said.

But Nassau Democratic Chairman Jay Jacobs said his party is collecting signatures on the old lines, saying, "I cannot believe that the process that was done [by the Republicans] is something that the courts will ulimately uphold."