A judge in New York has halted the implementation of the state’s new congressional map, which would have given Democrats an advantage in 22 of the state’s 26 congressional seats.
Judge Patrick McAllister concluded on Thursday that the Democratic-controlled legislature drew the map “unconstitutionally with political prejudice” and that no competitive seats were established. The state legislature has until April 11 to adopt a new map and submit it to the court for consideration, and McAllister added that it must have “bipartisan support.”
The ruling would be automatically delayed upon appeal under New York law, so it’s unclear if the legislature will need to redraw the map before the June primary.
Democrats have now lost their second redistricting case in a week in the courts. A Maryland court ordered a new congressional map to be created on Friday after concluding that the current one would unjustly harm Republicans’ chances in the state. Republican-favored maps have already been rejected by state courts in Ohio and North Carolina.
The New York judge also found that the legislature violated a 2014 constitutional change that granted a bipartisan panel primary power over redistricting by taking over the process after the commission failed to agree on a plan.
Former Republican Rep. John Faso, who was one of the driving forces behind the challenge to the map, applauded the decision.
In a tweet, Mike Murphy, the state Senate Democrats’ communications director, said, “This is one step in the process. This case was always going to be resolved by the appellate courts. We are appealing this judgment, and we anticipate that it will be delayed throughout the appeal process.”
The primary election in New York will be held on June 28. However, if fresh maps aren’t agreed upon, the primary might be postponed to August, according to the judgment.
According to McAllister, the New York primary may be conducted as late as August 23, leaving “approximately 100 days from today” for new maps to be designed, candidates to gather signatures and submit candidacies, primary ballots to be prepared, and the appellate review process to be completed.
New York’s state legislature and governorship are both controlled by Democrats. Due to sluggish population growth in the 2020 census, the state lost a congressional seat.
New York joins Florida, Maryland, Missouri, and New Hampshire as the fifth state without legislated congressional maps for the 2022 midterm cycle.
To read our blog on “‘We’ll see,’ Biden says on Russia’s intent to scale back Ukraine war,” click here.
