New York Democrats set stage for voter referendum to join redistricting fight
New York’s ruling Democrats would be allowed to draw new congressional districts in time for the 2028 elections under a proposed amendment to the State Constitution set for a vote this week.
The amendment, introduced late Monday, would also remove the state’s prohibitions on drawing districts to favor incumbents or political parties. It would make it easier for lawmakers themselves to grab the redistricting pen from the state’s Independent Redistricting Commission if it fails to develop a map.
Changes to the State Constitution must be adopted by two crops of successively elected legislators and then approved by voters in a popular referendum. The earliest that any changes could be on the ballot is 2027.
Senate Deputy Majority Leader Mike Gianaris said the changes are needed because of mid-decade redistricting in other states. President Donald Trump kicked off that process last year when he urged Republican lawmakers in Texas to draw new lines that favor the GOP.
https://gothamist.com/news/new-york-democrats-set-stage-for-voter-referendum-to-join-redistricting-fight