Win for Democrats as NY's Top Court Rules to Allow for a Redrawn Congressional Map

by Mindy Cohn

In a four to three vote, the New York State Court of Appeals issued an order allowing the state to redraw its congressional map, which has national implications as it gives Democrats another shot at drawing the state maps in their favor.

This afternoon, the court ordered the state's redistricting commission to redraw maps by February 28, 2024. At that point, the state's Democratic-controlled Legislature will get the final say over the map, which could allow Democrats to move two to six Republican-held seats leftward. Based on past voter trends, the changes make it likely that Democrats will have a slight national advantage over Republicans and will, therefore, regain control over the state's 26 congressional districts to the Democratic-controlled State Legislature. 

Republicans are committed to challenging any new map that violates the gerrymandering ban.