Years after handing redistricting power over to an independent commission, New York Democrats want it back as they join the national map-drawing battle with an eye on the 2028 election.
The Democratic-led state legislature on Wednesday night took its first step toward passing a constitutional amendment that would give lawmakers more authority on redistricting. Legislators must pass the amendment again next year before going to voters for final approval.
If the amendment clears these hurdles, New York lawmakers could draw a new map with as many as four new Democratic-leaning seats ahead of the 2028 elections.
In 2014, New York voters approved a constitutional amendment that created a bipartisan redistricting commission in the state. But the commission’s first attempt to draw new congressional lines following the 2021 Census fell flat as Democratic legislators’ pursuit of partisan advantage eventually led to litigation and a court-ordered map.
The proposed amendment would not eliminate the commission, but would give lawmakers much of their power over the map-drawing process back.
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