NY Democrats could vote to scrap redistricting maps — something that may create ‘major repercussions’ for control of House
State lawmakers could vote to scrap New York’s new congressional maps next week — something that would have “major repercussions” in the battle for control of the US House of Representatives.
Assembly Democrats huddled for almost two hours on a Zoom meeting called by Speaker Carl Heastie Friday to discuss whether to approve or shoot down the tweaked maps drawn by the state’s redistricting commission.
“All the bases were covered. What we do will have major repercussions,” Assemblyman Michael Benedetto (D-Bronx) told the Post.
“Carl was open and fair-minded. He’s open-minded on what we should do,” Benedetto added of Heastie.
If they opt to reject the proposed maps, Democrats in the state legislature could then redraw them to potentially eliminate several key battleground districts and help tip the scales in the party’s favor — making it easier for them to retake the House in November’s elections.
No final decisions were made in Friday’s meeting and sources gave The Post differing accounts about which way the conference was leaning.
“Everyone more or less agreed with the map. I agree with the map,” Assemblywoman Vivian Cook (D-Queens) said.
“I have reservations about voting for the IRC maps,” Assemblyman Harvey Epstein (D-Manhattan) countered.
Other Democrats have also thrown cold water on the plan.
House Democratic leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-Brooklyn) has publicly encouraged his counterparts in Albany to reject the maps and draw their own.
Orange County state Sen. James Skoufis came out against the maps before the redistricting commission had even officially voted to send them to the legislature for consideration.
A spokesperson for Heastie said the speaker was still having in conversation with members about the maps.
Prominent Republicans, including 2022 gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin and state GOP chairman Ed Cox, have called for the legislature to approve the changes to the maps currently up for consideration.
The drama over what could be one of Albany’s most consequential votes of the year has largely been taking place behind closed doors, especially over the last week as legislators were on recess.
Lawmakers will return to the capitol on Monday, just a day before petitioning is supposed to begin for candidates seeking to get onto the ballot.
That means any protracted delay in approving a set of maps could throw the state’s election calendar into disarray.
With Republicans almost guaranteed to challenge any substantially redrawn maps in court, congressional primaries may have to be pushed back. Primaries in 2022 were delayed until August as courts considered Republicans’ first legal challenge over the maps.
The legislature needs a two-thirds majority in both chambers to pass any redistricting proposal.
Democrats currently hold exactly two-thirds of the seats in the state Senate and 102 of 150 seats in the Assembly, meaning they can afford few defections without getting help from Republicans.
