Democrats in the New York legislature on Wednesday night took a major procedural step toward mid-decade redistricting.
Democrats gave preliminary approval to an amendment that eases some of the state’s restrictions on gerrymandering and gives the legislature more power in the redistricting process. The legislature will have to pass the amendment again in 2027 and then submit it to voters for approval.
The amendment would allow the legislature to redraw between censuses when necessary and relax prohibitions on drawing maps for partisan gain. The legislation also stipulates that maps can be passed with a simple majority vote.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries signaled his support in a statement earlier this week for this amendment.
“This is just the beginning of our decisive response to the Jim Crow-like tactics unleashed by the Supreme Court when it gutted voting rights in America,” Jeffries said. “We will ensure that there are free and fair elections moving forward. The Empire State will strike back.”
New York currently has a redistricting commission, but the legislature can step in if the commission fails. This amendment would not do away with the commission entirely. The state’s current delegation has 19 Democrats and seven Republicans.
A new map could net Democrats several seats. Most at-risk: Reps. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) and Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.).
One big question is whether Democrats are comfortable breaking up Black and Latino plurality or majority districts in order to maximize the total number of Democratic seats.
This battle is just beginning. Expect an exceedingly expensive and brutal fight for the referendum campaign to convince voters to give the OK to this amendment.
