New York’s high court on Tuesday ordered the creation of a new congressional map, a move that bodes poorly for Republicans who made gains in the blue state after the last redistricting cycle.
By 4 votes to 3, the New York Court of Appeals ruled The Independent Redistricting Commission is allowed to redraw the lines before the 2024 election. Whatever map comes out of the process, which has a deadline of late February, will have to be approved by the state legislature. controlled by Democrats.
“In 2014, New York voters amended our Constitution to provide that legislative districts be drawn by an Independent Redistricting Commission,” said Chief Judge Rowan Wilson. wrote in an opinion. “The Constitution requires that process, not districts drawn by the courts.”
The ruling arises from a legal challenge backed by Democrats and opposed by Republicans that followed a dramatic series of events over redistricting in 2022. After the commission failed to reach a consensus On a map, state Democrats drew their own boundaries that the high court then refused as too partisan and commissioned a special master to find a solution.
“Today’s decision is a victory for democracy and particularly for the people of New York. “We look forward to getting the Independent Redistricting Commission back to work creating a new and fair legislative map, through the process New York voters intended,” said Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-WA), Committee Chair. of Democratic Congressional Campaign. saying in a statement on Tuesday.
House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY) and New York Republican Party Chairman Ed Cox issued a joint statement. stating, “New York Republicans will not give up the fight against gerrymandering and for free and fair elections. “The people of New York deserve better than this.”
Republicans gained control of the House in the 2022 election cycle, as picked up some seats in New York on the special master’s map. But his fortunes could reverse in 2024 with the Empire State as the deciding factor.
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“A great agreement for control of the Chamber” saying Cook Political Report’s Dave Wasserman in a series of posts on X in response to Tuesday’s high court ruling.
Right now, Democrats hold a slim 15D-11R majority in New York House seats. This ruling could further endanger up to six Republican Party seats, including:#NY01 Nick LaLota (R)#NY03 VACANT (R)#NY04 Anthony D’Esposito (R)#NY17 Mike Lawler (right)#NY19 Marc Molinaro (right)#NY22 Brandon Williams (right)
– Dave Wasserman (@Redistrict) December 12, 2023
“This was a 4-3 decision that was made possible by a staff shift to the left on the New York court since the 22nd, as well as the Republican Party’s takeover. [North Carolina] “The Supreme Court in 2022 paved the way for Republicans to brutalize Democrats with a new gerrymander this year in North Carolina,” he added. “Right now, Democrats have a slim 15D-11R majority in New York House seats. “This ruling could put up to six GOP seats in further jeopardy.”
Wasserman said the six Republican House members from New York who could be most negatively affected included Nick Lakota, Anthony D’Esposito, Mike Lawler, Marc Molinaro and Brandon Williams. He also listed New York’s 3rd Congressional District, which had been represented by Rep. George Santos (R-NY) until he was ousted. Santos will be replaced by the winner of a special election scheduled for early next year.
