Democratic leaders in Washington are leaning on New York to solidify plans to draw new congressional maps in 2028 in response to a spree of mid-decade redistricting Republicans instigated in Texas and Louisiana.
New York Democrats said they are planning to change how the state crafts its electoral maps, possibly granting state lawmakers more power in mid-decade redistricting.
Rep. Joe Morelle (D-N.Y.) met with state leaders, including Gov. Kathy Hochul (D), about advancing a constitutional amendment, he said Tuesday. Morelle, a former state lawmaker, said he’d been delegated by House Minority Leader
In a Monday statement, Jeffries called Morelle’s visit “just the beginning” and vowed a wider court and redrawing battle waged by House Democrats.
“We’re prepared to wage a vigorous campaign,” Morelle said. “Voters understand that this is now, in some ways, an existential threat to the republic.”
Morelle pointed to the Supreme Court decision in Louisiana v. Callais, which dismantled key provisions of the Voting Rights Act, as a trigger. He also contended Democrats must shore up their defenses in response to the Trump administration’s pressing of state Republicans in GOP-led states like Florida and Texas to take up mid-decade redistricting.
Read more: What Court Ruling Means for Race-Based Districting: Explainer
For New York to change congressional maps before the 2030 census, state lawmakers must approve a constitutional amendment two years in a row before it goes to voters. Democrats have until June 4, the end of the legislative session, to approve that amendment.
Whether the changes New York Democrats are eyeing include stripping back the power granted to the state’s independent redistricting commission remains to be seen. Morelle said Tuesday that while he believes in a national standard of independent redistricting, he doesn’t want “Democrats to disarm and lead to a permanent majority by the Republicans.”
Hochul, who will have to give final approval to the amendment, cheered it on Tuesday and said it was a “fight for our democracy.” She said the decision was motivated by the Trump administration and by Republican state redistricting, but it isn’t partisan.
“I want to remind everybody, this will be a decision of the voters. We’re just giving them that option,” Hochul said Tuesday. “And this does not have to be a partisan fight.”
GOP Faults ‘Political Warfare’
Republicans in the state legislature have decried the push but are virtually powerless at the state Capitol. State Sen. Tom O’Mara called the move “bad policy” and said he was opposed to both Republicans and Democrats moving forward with redistricting plans.
“It’s just leading to political warfare through redistricting,” O’Mara said Tuesday.
State Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris (D) sponsors the measure and said lawmakers are still discussing what that amendment would involve. He said Democrats are considering a “broader approach” that could involve changing how much power is granted to the independent redistricting commission, citing “dysfunction.”
The independent redistricting commission was involved in a years-long court battle after the 2020 Census kicked off redistricting, tussling with state lawmakers over proposed congressional maps lawmakers initially rejected in 2022. The new maps lawmakers submitted were challenged in court. The latest congressional districts were approved in 2024.
“We’re very disturbed that we’re in a place where we have to defend against radical remaking of how we do democracy,” said Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins during a Tuesday press conference.
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