New York Democrats seek amendment to control redistricting

New York Democrats are advancing a proposed constitutional amendment that would grant state lawmakers greater control over the congressional redistricting process, potentially allowing for new district maps ahead of the 2028 elections. The measure, set for a vote in the final days of the legislative session, would alter a system voters established in 2014 to curb partisan influence.

The proposal would modify several key aspects of New York’s redistricting rules. It would permit the Democrat-controlled Legislature to draw maps itself if the state’s Independent Redistricting Commission deadlocks, allowing approval by a simple majority vote rather than the current higher threshold. Legal challenges to maps would return to the Legislature instead of a court-appointed special master. The amendment would also explicitly remove the constitutional ban on drawing districts to favor or disfavor political parties or incumbents, while retaining rules protecting racial and language minorities and requiring districts to be contiguous and equal in population.

Proponents argue the changes are a necessary response to actions in other states and recent court rulings. Senate Deputy Leader Mike...