Win for Democrats as New York State Court of Appeals 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, in a 61-page opinion, 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,  as reported by Rockland Daily here, 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.

Congressman Mike Lawler released the following statement after the Court of Appeals decision that overturned New York’s fair Congressional maps.

“This decision by the Court of Appeals is corrupt Albany politics at its worst,” said Congressman Lawler. “Kathy Hochul, Hakeem Jeffries, and Albany and Washington Democrats stacked the court with a handpicked judge to deliver the decision they needed to rig New York’s Congressional maps. Let me be clear - stacking the court to influence its decision is a direct threat to democratic norms in New York. To speak plainly, Kathy Hochul and Hakeem Jeffries should be ashamed of themselves for putting politics above all other considerations.

“This politically motivated decision is just the beginning of this process, not the end,” concluded Congressman Lawler. “As Albany and Washington Democrats seek to gerrymander the congressional lines in the coming weeks, there will undoubtedly be further legal action. Regardless of the outcome, New Yorkers will remember next November and in November of 2026.”