New York Democrats released draft language Monday for a constitutional amendment that would hand the state legislature direct control over congressional redistricting, stripping away current safeguards designed to prevent partisan gerrymandering.
The proposed amendment, published late in the day with little fanfare, would eliminate the state’s independent redistricting commission and allow whichever party controls both legislative chambers to draw congressional maps with minimal oversight. Democrats have held that power for much of the past decade.
Under current New York law, an independent commission draws initial district maps, with the legislature able to reject them only twice before maps go to the state’s highest court. That process was created specifically to prevent the kind of partisan map-rigging that tilted congressional seats for decades.
The new language would scrap that process entirely. Instead, the legislature could draw and approve its own maps with a simple majority vote in both houses, then send them to the governor for signature—the same process used for ordinary bills.
Republicans and good-government groups warned the change would allow Democrats to pack Republican voters into a handful of districts while spreading Democratic voters across multiple competitive seats, maximizing their party’s congressional delegation. New York sends 26 members to the House of Representatives.
The timing matters for national politics. Republicans currently hold a narrow House majority, and New York’s congressional seats could determine which party controls the chamber after 2028. A Democrat-drawn map in New York could flip three or four seats, potentially deciding the House.
State Senator James Tedisco, a Republican, called the proposal “a naked power grab dressed up as reform.” He noted Democrats already tried aggressive gerrymandering in 2022, only to have their maps struck down by state courts as unconstitutional.
The amendment would need to pass both legislative chambers in two consecutive sessions, then win approval from voters in a statewide referendum. Democrats would need to clear those hurdles by 2029 to have new maps in place for the 2030 census redistricting.
Several swing-state legislatures have fought similar battles over redistricting power in recent years, with both parties trying to lock in advantages before the next census. Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and North Carolina have all seen court fights over congressional maps.
The proposal now enters a public comment period before the legislature votes this fall. Opponents are already organizing petition drives and planning legal challenges if the amendment advances.
Key Points
- Amendment would give New York legislature direct control over congressional redistricting, removing current independent commission safeguards
- Change could flip three or four House seats to Democrats, potentially determining which party controls Congress after 2028
- Proposal must pass legislature twice and win statewide voter approval before taking effect
https://nypost.com/2026/06/02/us-news/dems-aim-to-change-nys-constitution-gain-power-to-carve-up-congressional-maps/ – June 02, 2026
