By Robert Tannenhauser
The 2022 New York congressional and state legislative redistricting maps, recently enacted by the state legislature, were struck down by New York State Acting Supreme Court Judge Patrick F. McAllister in an order handed down on Thursday.
The Judge decreed that the legislature has until April 11, 2022 to submit to the Court for review, “bipartisanly supported maps” that “meet constitutional requirements.” The ruling applies to the district congressional maps as well as the state senate and state assembly district maps for the primary and general elections.
If the legislature fails to comply, the Court will retain a neutral expert to prepare the maps.
“Legislative leaders said they would appeal the ruling,” according to 1010 WINS. “‘This is one step in the process. We always knew this case would be decided by the appellate courts. We are appealing this decision and expect this decision will be stayed as the appeal process proceeds,” said Mike Murphy, spokesman for the Senate majority.
A message seeking comment from the governor’s office was not immediately returned, according to the station.
Michael Li, senior counsel for the Brennan Center’s Democracy Program, tweeted the following:
🚨Breaking: State court judge strikes down New York’s congressional and legislative maps and blocks them from being used for 2022 elections. Legislature given until 4/11 to adopt new maps. If it fails to pass bipartisan maps, court says it will appoint neutral expert. pic.twitter.com/8CQYpxxSRD
— Michael Li 李之樸 (@mcpli) March 31, 2022
The GOP filed this case in Steuben County. One of the reddest districts in NYS. This was a decision by a Republican judge. When this is appealed the decision is stayed on appeal. It will be appealed to either the Appellate Division or the Court of Appeals where judges are appointed by the Governor.
This is not over by any means.
One can only hope it’s over.
Indeed, DC, indeed…..
salty
Isn’t it a little late to be figuring this out – elections are coming up really soon. This should all not be so hard, but the Supreme Court has basically signed off on gerrymandering but not completely, so no one knows what to do.
My only request is to redraw AOC’s district and get her out – she is destroying the Democratic party and making life easy for Republicans.
No chance – she will run for statewide office
Why did all the ones in the southern republican states pass?
Several of them have also been rejected.
This is a 100% political process in almost every state. The U.S. Supreme Court has already said it won’t get involved in state redistrticting, so it’s up to the state courts. New York is just as “guilty” as any Republican state. This is the process we have to live with right now. (And teh Democrats are likely to prevail in the appeal, because either court is more politically aligned with the Democrats.)
“If the legislature fails to do comply, the Court will retain a neutral expert to prepare the maps.”
But why aren’t “neutral experts” used all the time?
As long as we can get every state to go along. Don’t hold your breath.
As long as I can vote for Jerry Nadler for another 30 years, I’ll be happy. Don’t let the Republican judges take away my freedom to vote Nadler!!!
I did think it was odd that Nadler redrew the district so Democrats benefit. He extended parts to Queens so there is no risk of it turning red. No matter what party, gerrymandering like this is not ok.
But that’s the nature of politics today. You have to use every legal device to attain or hold onto power. It’s about time the Democrats started following the GOP playbook even more.
Instead of trying to rig elections with laughable gerrymandering, NY Dems should try to win over voters by addressing their needs (crime, inflation) rather than pandering to the woke Left.
This is quite a pot and kettle moment. The worst of all gerrymandering has been done by the GOP. Democratic gerrymandering is not nearly as bad. But the reality is every party should play by the rules you set out, not just one.