The highest court in New York has ordered the state to draw new congressional districts before the 2024 elections, which might help Democrats in the House race. Republicans, who won House power by flipping New York seats, wanted to keep the plan, but the 4-3 New York Court of Appeals decision had major repercussions. Democrats want better district borders.
New York Court Orders Redrawing of Districts, Favoring Democrats
New districts are drawn by the bipartisan Independent Redistricting Commission with Democrat-controlled Legislature consent. The commission must present a map by February 28, 2024, according to the court. Chief Justice Rowan D. Wilson stressed the constitutional requirement for the 2014 voter-established Independent Redistricting Commission to lead the process.
The ruling is an early but critical step in Democrats’ strategy to recover key congressional districts for a House majority. Republicans took House control when Democrats sued to overturn last year’s boundaries after losing seats in the New York City suburbs.
State Democrats mishandled the 2022 redistricting, causing uproar. The state Legislature drew its map after the bipartisan commission failed to agree to prevent partisan gerrymandering. Republican voters were concentrated in a few super districts to support Democrats, reducing GOP voting power elsewhere.
Democrats Plan Another Shot at Key New York Districts, Republicans Focus on Suburban Concerns
A lawsuit stopped the Democrats’ plan, so the Court of Appeals had an independent expert create fresh lines. The GOP’s robust turnout and new lines helped them convert suburban seats and win House control in 2022. Democrats subsequently sued to block last year’s maps from being used in 2024, alleging that the court-drawn map wasn’t meant for more than one election and that the nonpartisan commission should draft the maps again.
Democrats will try again to win key New York districts after the court’s decision, while Republicans will use crime and immigration to appeal to suburban voters.
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