New York's high court orders new congressional districts, potentially flipping US House
Districts drawn by a court-appointed special master in 2022 led to Republicans flipping four House seats
The New York State Court of Appeals ordered new congressional maps on Tuesday, giving the Democratic-dominated state Legislature a shot to approve districts more favorable to Democrats for the 2024 elections. If Democrats flip back the four seats they lost to Republicans in the 2022 election, it could help them win control of the House.
The high court's 4-3 opinion said the map drawn by a court-appointed special master in 2022 was meant to be temporary and the state's voter-approved independent redistricting panel should be given another chance to draw the congressional districts.
The redistricting commission, with an even number of members appointed by each party, deadlocked in 2022. The Legislature then approved a map that could have given Democrats 22 of the state's 26 House seats, but the Court of Appeals threw it out on procedural grounds. The map drawn by the court's special master resulted in Democrats winning 15 seats; Republicans won 11, including in six districts won by President Joe Biden in 2020.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Next year, Democrats "might have won two or three of those Biden districts back anyway — now it might be five or six," said Dave Wasserman, an elections analyst with the Cook Political Report, told The New York Times. "When you are talking about such a narrow majority in the House, obviously that's a big deal."
The court gave the redistricting commission until Feb. 28 to produce a new map. If it can't agree on one, the Democratic and Republican members can submit two maps. Either way, the Legislature gets final approval, and it can draw its own districts if lawmakers vote down two attempts by the commission.
New York Republicans criticized the court's ruling and vowed to challenge any map they think is a partisan gerrymander, prohibited in the state Constitution. Democrats said the ruling returned power to representatives elected by the people of New York.
New York isn't the only state where district lines are being redrawn.
In North Carolina, a new Republican majority on the state Supreme Court gave a green light for the Republican-controlled Legislature to draw a "potent gerrymander" that "will all but guarantee the GOP picks up three or four seats there," Politico reports. On the other hand, Democrats will likely flip a seat in Alabama after the Supreme Court threw out two GOP-drawn maps on the grounds they illegally diluted the power of Black voters. Similar cases are pending in other Southern states.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Rupert Murdoch's behind-closed-doors succession court battle
The Explainer Media mogul's legal dispute with three of his children over control of his influential empire begins today
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Ruska: experience Finland's magnificent autumn foliage
The Week Recommends The 'fleeting' season lasts just three weeks
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
Trump assassination attempt: do former presidents need more protection?
Today's Big Question Secret Service director says 'paradigm shift' needed after second Trump attack sparks calls for more resources
By The Week UK Published
-
Johnson pulls spending bill amid GOP revolt
Speed Read House Speaker Mike Johnson called off a planned vote on a stopgap spending package as odds of government shutdown increase
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
How might the GOP's Afghanistan report impact the presidential race?
Today's Big Question House Republicans are blaming the Biden administration, but the White House is pushing back
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Why is a government shutdown possible before the election?
Today's Big Question A fight over immigration, spending and the future of House Speaker Mike Johnson
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Aide to NY governors charged as Chinese agent
Speed Read Linda Sun, the former aide to Kathy Hochul, has been accused of spying for the Chinese government
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
What did the Democratic National Convention signal about the future of the party?
Today's Big Question The three-day assembly was more than just a coronation for presidential nominee Kamala Harris — it was a statement about the where the Democratic party sees itself going next
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'Declines haven't happened in most places'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
George Santos pleads guilty to federal crimes
Speed Read The former Republican congressman from New York blames ambition for leading him astray
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Peggy Flanagan is poised to make history in Tim Walz's wake
In The Spotlight As the country's highest-ranking Indigenous woman in executive elected office, Minnesota's lieutenant governor could continue breaking barriers if her boss ends up vice president
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published