New York Democrats advance redistricting ballot measure, tee up second vote

Skip to content

New York Democrats advanced a redistricting ballot measure on Wednesday to make it easier for Democrats to redraw the state’s congressional lines — putting the state a step closer to creating a more favorable House map ahead of 2028.

New York lawmakers passed a state constitutional amendment that keeps the state’s independent redistricting commission in place while revising the map-drawing process to give state lawmakers more influence in redrawing congressional lines.

The state currently requires the independent redistricting commission to submit a House map for consideration, subject to the state Legislature’s approval. If the map is not approved, the commission is required to redraw the maps again for lawmakers to consider.

The new ballot measure changes the process, allowing state lawmakers to introduce new congressional lines if the redistricting commission’s initial attempt is rejected.

The new amendment language also removes a provision that essentially bans partisan gerrymandering. The measure, however, still requires communities of interest to be maintained and bans redistricting that undermines minority voter representation. It also allows lawmakers to redraw their lines mid-cycle.

The redistricting amendment needs to be passed in a consecutive legislative session before it can be teed up before voters in 2027 ahead of the 2028 elections.

Political observers say that the new amendment, if implemented, could give Democrats as many as four pickup opportunities in the House next election cycle.

Democrats in the Empire State have started work on passing the amendment — eight years after voters approved a 2014 ballot measure meant to reform the redistricting process — as both parties have ramped up mid-cycle redistricting since 2025.

Republicans and Democrats have looked to redraw different congressional maps ahead of November to create more House pick-up opportunities On paper, Republicans are likely to nab around a half a dozen seats from new maps in Texas, Missouri, Florida, North Carolina, Ohio, Alabama, Louisiana and Tennessee.

Redistricting litigation in Florida and Tennessee is still pending, however. Democrats have gained pickup opportunities from redistricting only in California and Utah.

Tags

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.