New York's Democratic-controlled legislature voted Wednesday to advance a constitutional amendment that would strip the state's independent redistricting commission of most of its authority, handing map-drawing power back to lawmakers ahead of the 2028 election cycle.
The move marks a dramatic reversal from a decade ago, when voters overwhelmingly endorsed creating the bipartisan commission to reduce partisan line-drawing. If the amendment passes the legislature again next year and wins voter approval, Democrats could potentially create as many as four additional seats favoring their party.
The commission, established in 2014, ran into immediate trouble after the 2021 Census when its first attempt at drawing new maps collapsed amid partisan fighting. The Democratic-backed proposal ultimately ended up in court, with judges imposing their own lines.
Under the new amendment, the commission would shrink to a largely advisory role. It would hold public hearings and submit proposed maps, but the legislature could simply reject those maps and draw its own without constraints.
"If that map or set of maps are rejected, then the legislature can essentially do whatever it decides," explained Jeff Wice, a redistricting expert and New York School of Law professor. "The state redistricting commission would still be in business, but their task would be limited to holding public hearings, receiving input, and submitting one set of maps or multiple maps if they can't agree."
The proposal goes further than similar recent efforts in other states. It explicitly authorizes mid-decade redistricting, non-compact districts, and partisan gerrymandering, and unlike recent amendments in California and Virginia, the New York version would be permanent, allowing the majority party to redraw maps repeatedly.
Democrats defending the amendment pointed to Republican-led states that have already implemented new maps since last summer ahead of 2026 elections. Ten states have moved on mid-decade redistricting, prompting New York Democrats to argue they must have equivalent tools to compete.
"We are playing a game that we're not playing alone, and so if the other participants in this process are playing by a different set of rules, to not be able to respond in kind would be irresponsible," said state Sen. Michael Gianaris, who authored the bill.
Republicans strongly opposed the plan. State Sen. Jack Martins questioned whether lawmakers had a responsibility to prevent gerrymandering and protect voters' ability to choose their representatives rather than the reverse.
Author Sarah Mitchell: "New York Democrats are essentially admitting they want to play the same partisan game as Republican states, except permanently. That's a stunning confession about what they really think of that independent commission they sold voters on a decade ago."
Comments