Democrats in New York had drawn up House Districts that cut Republicans down by several districts…
The House Democrats hoped that the New York House districts could help them cut their loses in the fall election, where they are expected to lose their 5 seat majority …..
The states highest court has set up a special master who will now draw up the state’s House districts …..
On Wednesday, the [ New York Court of Appeals ] judges concluded the map was “drawn with impermissible partisan purpose” and “to discourage competition.”
Former New York US Rep. John Faso, one of the Republicans leading the map challenge, called the court’s decision a “landmark decision in New York.”
“The Court’s decision today really sets a marker for future legislatures to explicitly follow the exact process that’s contained within the constitutional amendment,” Faso said. “And this will force future legislatures, regardless if they’re controlled by Republicans or Democrats, regardless if whether they’re a supermajority or a small majority, it’ll force cooperation.”
In the 4-3 decision, the court also concluded that the process in which the congressional map was drawn “contravened” the state’s constitution. A 2014 amendment to New York’s constitution created an independent redistricting commission that was obligated to draw a plan for the congressional map and present that plan to the state legislature for a vote. After the commission’s first sets of district lines failed in the legislature, the commission did not submit a second plan. At that point, the state legislature drew the now-blocked map.
Instead of allowing the Democratic-led state legislature to pass a new map, Wednesday’s decision returned the issue to lower court Judge Patrick McCallister, allowing him to work with a special master to draw the map. McCallister already appointed Jonathan Cervas as a special master and said the new congressional map will be issued by May 24….
Florida, New York and Ohio all have extremely similar anti-gerrymandering language enshrined in state constitutions, passed by voters. But only New York is on track to enforce its reforms – and that’s the difference powering GOP gains in 2022 redistricting.
Dave Wasserman….
Dave Wasserman
@Redistrict
It’s 9pm. Do you know where your NY congressional maps are?…
But?
Michael Li 李之樸
@mcpli
I guess in retrospect, the court’s notice didn’t say between 8 pm and 9 pm on what day. #WeWantMaps
Update……
The Upstate NY judge has approved the redrawn NY House district maps done by his appointed Special Master
Let the Democratic fights begin down state