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New York Democrats are taking steps to regain greater control over congressional redistricting, advancing a constitutional amendment that could reshape the state’s political map ahead of the 2028 elections.
The Democratic-controlled state legislature on Wednesday approved the first passage of a proposed amendment that would significantly expand lawmakers’ authority over the redistricting process. The measure must pass again during the next legislative session before being placed before voters for final approval.
If ultimately adopted, the amendment could allow Democrats to redraw congressional boundaries and potentially create several additional Democratic-leaning House districts before the next presidential election cycle.
The proposal comes as both parties continue an increasingly aggressive national redistricting battle. Since last year, multiple states have redrawn congressional maps outside the traditional once-a-decade redistricting cycle, with many of those efforts occurring in Republican-led states.
New York voters approved a constitutional amendment in 2014 that created an independent bipartisan redistricting commission. However, the state’s first experience with the commission after the 2020 Census resulted in legal disputes and court intervention after lawmakers attempted to enact maps that were challenged as overly partisan.
Under the newly proposed amendment, the commission would remain in place but would serve primarily in an advisory role. Lawmakers would gain broader authority to draw and approve congressional maps if they reject the commission’s recommendations.
Supporters argue the change would allow New York to respond to similar redistricting efforts occurring elsewhere in the country.
State Sen. Michael Gianaris, the amendment’s sponsor, said Democrats believe New York should not be constrained while other states pursue aggressive map-drawing strategies that benefit the party in power.
The proposal would also permit mid-decade redistricting and provide lawmakers with greater flexibility in how congressional districts are drawn, changes that critics argue could make partisan gerrymandering easier.
Because the amendment would permanently alter New York’s constitution, its impact could extend well beyond the 2028 election cycle, potentially shaping congressional maps for years to come.
The measure now heads toward a second required legislative vote next year before New York voters have the final say on whether to approve the changes.
