New York State Court of Appeals Ruling Gives Democrats Opportunity to Redraw Congressional Districts Ahead of 2024 Election

The New York State Court of Appeals has ruled Tuesday that the Democratic-controlled legislature will have the opportunity to approve new congressional district maps ahead of the 2024 election. This 4-3 decision overturns the court-drawn congressional district maps imposed after the legislature’s maps, which heavily favored Democrats, were rejected by a state court in April 2022.

The current maps, drawn by a court-ordered special master in May 2022, erased Democrats’ advantages in key districts and forced New York’s delegation of House Democrats into a costly game of musical chairs. The Constitution calls for a bipartisan commission to draw the maps, but then Democrats controlling the statehouse get final approval and only slight changes in current maps could likely end with lines favorable to Democrats.

The Court of Appeals has ordered an independent redistricting commission to redraw New York’s congressional districts. The commission will be made up of three members appointed by the governor, three appointed by the Senate majority leader, and three appointed by the Assembly speaker. The commission will have to submit a new map to the legislature by December 1, 2024.

The ruling is a major victory for Democrats, as it gives them the opportunity to draw maps that could benefit their party. It also ensures that the state’s congressional districts will be redrawn in a fair and impartial manner. This decision could have a major impact on the 2024 election and could potentially shift the balance of power in Congress.