Democrats in New York reveal their own plan for mid-decade redrawing of electoral districts, aiming to influence upcoming elections
Texas and New York Engage in Mid-Decade Redistricting Battle
In a move that could reshape the political landscape, Texas Republicans are pressing ahead with plans to redraw congressional maps mid-decade, while New York Democrats are considering a response to this aggressive partisan maneuver.
Texas: Mid-Decade Redistricting Underway
Texas Governor Gregg Abbott has convened a special legislative session that includes congressional redistricting on lawmakers' formal to-do list. The Republican-led Legislature and Governor are aiming to flip several Democratic-held congressional seats in key metro areas such as Austin, Dallas, Houston, and South Texas. The proposed new maps would make districts more favorable to Republicans, increasing GOP advantages in future elections.
New York: Legal Barriers and Debate
In contrast, New York is currently restrained by a 2014 state constitutional amendment that explicitly prohibits mid-decade redistricting of congressional districts unless a court has invalidated or modified the current district plan. This barrier reflects New York’s effort to prevent partisan gerrymandering and ensure bipartisan redistricting through an Independent Redistricting Commission (IRC).
There is ongoing debate about a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow lawmakers to bypass the commission and pass mid-decade maps with a simple majority, but this amendment would still prohibit partisan gerrymandering.
California: Signals of Early Redistricting
Political leaders in California have signaled they could move forward with early redistricting, with Governor Gavin Newsom raising the idea. Several California Democrats, including Rep. Nanette Barragan, Rep. Ami Bera, and Rep. Mark Takano, have expressed support for the idea of redrawing maps early.
Opposition and Controversy
Opponents of efforts in California to redraw maps early argue that it could strip Black and brown voters of adequate representation. Russia Chavis Cardenas, the deputy director of the California branch of government watchdog group Common Cause, stated that gerrymandering hurts Black, brown, and poor communities the most. Cardenas warned that Democrats risk damaging their relationship with Black and brown voters and diluting the voting power of Black and brown voters by responding to the efforts in Texas with similar actions.
In response to the Texas Republicans' attempt to redraw their own congressional maps ahead of schedule, New York Democrats are countering with their own plans for mid-decade redistricting, but they face significant legal hurdles preventing immediate action without constitutional changes or court invalidations of current maps.
| Aspect | Texas | New York | |-----------------------------|-----------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------| | Legal framework | No constitutional ban on mid-decade redistricting | 2014 constitutional amendment bans mid-decade redistricting unless court invalidates existing plan | | Political control | Republican-led Legislature and Governor | Democrat-controlled Legislature and Governor | | Current status | Active mid-decade redistricting underway, targeting Democrats | Proposed mid-decade redistricting faces serious legal and constitutional obstacles | | Court involvement | None required for mid-decade maps | Must have court invalidation/modification first for mid-decade maps | | Proposed changes | New maps would make districts more Republican-favorable | Proposed amendment to ease mid-decade process but still prohibit partisan gerrymandering | | Opposition tactics | Democrats threatening walkouts | Legal challenges to gerrymandering rulings |
As governors across the country consider following suit to either add to or counter the plan, depending on their party affiliations, the mid-decade redistricting battle between Texas and New York serves as a significant test of partisan politics and the balance of power in the United States.
[1] NPR, "New York Redistricting: Democrats Push For Mid-Decade Redistricting", https://www.npr.org/2022/07/07/1111513935/new-york-redistricting-democrats-push-for-mid-decade-redistricting
[2] New York Times, "New York Democrats Push to Change Redistricting Rules", https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/21/nyregion/new-york-redistricting-democrats-push-to-change-rules.html
[3] Texas Tribune, "Texas Redistricting: Republicans Push Forward With Mid-Decade Maps", https://www.texastribune.org/2022/07/14/texas-redistricting-republicans-push-forward-mid-decade-maps/
[4] Politico, "Democrats Threaten to Leave Texas Over Redistricting", https://www.politico.com/news/2022/07/14/texas-democrats-leave-over-redistricting-00054587
Politics: The political landscape is undergoing considerable changes, as Texas Republicans are actively pursuing mid-decade redistricting, while New York Democrats are contemplating a response to the aggressive partisan maneuver.
General-News: In response to the Texas Republicans' attempt to redraw their own congressional maps ahead of schedule, New York Democrats are countering with their own plans for mid-decade redistricting; however, they face significant legal and constitutional obstacles that may require court intervention.
