New York Congress Map Drama Never Ends

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The 2024 election cycle just got more complicated for New Yorkers.

Albany lawmakers on Monday formally rejected new congressional maps proposed by a bipartisan panel of the state’s Independent Redistricting Commission, allowing the Legislature to draw its own district lines and swaying some key races. This was a stepping stone to the possibility that he would be given a second chance. The New York State Senate voted 40-17 and the state Assembly voted 99-47, breaking the map in the latest twist in a years-long political saga.

Several members of Congress had expressed concerns about the map. The map was slightly revised from the 2022 version created by a special master after the New York State Supreme Court ruled that Democrats’ original plan was gerrymandered. The redistricting commission’s proposal was not significantly different from the 2022 version, but it would shore up districts held by two Hudson Valley incumbents, Democratic Rep. Pat Ryan and Republican Rep. Mark Molinaro. It is highly likely that It also could have weakened Rep. Brandon Williams’ electoral prospects by adding more Democratic-leaning areas to his district. State Sen. James Skoufis criticized the commission’s decision to divide Orange County and said the Legislature should reject the new map. to call That is “shameful.”

House Majority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who has been vocal in his opposition to the special secretary’s 2022 maps, stopped short of asking Congress to redraw the districts, but his office said the new map “neglects or worsens.” Many of the issues raised previously.

By opting to draw its own map, the Democratic-led Legislature has affected several races ahead of an election cycle in which it is expected to once again pass New York and win control of the House. Get a chance to give. As it stands, the Cook Political Report currently lists four seats held by freshman Republicans seeking re-election as toss-ups, and that number could potentially increase.

While this is a great opportunity to improve the party’s chances in November, it is also possible that Democrats’ efforts could backfire. If lawmakers attempt significant gerrymandering, the maps could be challenged in court by Republicans and even rescinded, something that could happen again in 2022. There is also speculation Given these limitations, Congress will likely choose only modest changes to the map rather than sweeping changes.

According to City & State, early reports suggest lawmakers are considering a number of changes that would benefit Democratic candidates, including adding Cope City in the Bronx to U.S. Rep. Jamal Bowman’s district. It seems so.new york times A more Republican-leaning area of ​​Massapequa is reportedly likely to be relocated from newly elected U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi’s district. Dave Wasserman, senior editor at Cook Political Report, called the new proposal “mild/moderate gerrymandering.”

Regardless of the final decision, Congress will need to act quickly. Ballot petitions in New York are scheduled to begin Tuesday, meaning each campaign will begin gathering signatures for candidates to run in districts that could change within the next few days.