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Hochul still game for NY Dems’ redistricting scheme after blue wave wins
New York Governor Kathy Hochul says she is still considering Democrats’ proposal to redraw the state’s congressional districts midway through the decade. The proposal could give Democrats an electoral advantage, and Hochul says she is looking beyond the party’s recent wins because future elections may produce a different result.
The push followed Texas’s 2025 redistricting effort and a wider contest in which nine states adopted new House districts before the midterms. New York’s constitution currently bans partisan gerrymandering; a proposed amendment would remove that ban and let a simple legislative majority override the bipartisan redistricting commission. Democrats hold 20 of the state’s 26 congressional seats, and will have 47 of 63 state Senate seats and 111 of 150 Assembly seats from January.
In short
- Hochul is still weighing mid-decade redistricting.
- Democrats hold 20 of New York’s 26 House seats.
- A constitutional amendment could change map-making rules.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporters could argue that if other states redraw their maps to gain partisan advantage, New York should not leave its own voters politically disadvantaged. They may see the proposed amendment as a way for elected representatives to respond to changing political conditions and make the state’s congressional delegation better reflect its electorate, while noting that voters would have to approve the constitutional change.
The case against
Opponents could argue that removing the constitutional ban and allowing a legislative majority to override the bipartisan commission would weaken safeguards against politicians choosing their voters. Even if other states have redrawn their maps, they may say that repeating the practice would deepen partisan competition and reduce fair representation, rather than protect it.
Explained simply
Congressional districts determine which voters choose each member of the US House of Representatives. They are usually redrawn after the census every ten years, but some states have sought new maps sooner; the boundaries can affect which party has an advantage in elections.
New York’s constitution bars drawing districts to favour a political party and gives a bipartisan commission a role in the process. Democrats in the state legislature are pursuing an amendment that would remove that ban and let a simple majority replace the commission’s map. Democrats already hold most of New York’s congressional seats and will have large legislative majorities from January, so they could have the votes to change the rules.