The Corner
New York’s Gerrymander Declared Unconstitutional, Potentially Costing Democrats 3 House Seats
Nicholas Fandos reports at the New York Times:
New York’s highest court ruled on Wednesday that Democratic leaders had violated the State Constitution when drawing new congressional and State Senate districts, ordering a court-appointed special master to draw replacement lines for this year’s critical midterm elections instead.
In a sweeping 32-page ruling, a divided New York State Court of Appeals chided Democrats for defying the will of voters who in 2014 adopted constitutional reforms, including a new outside commission, to curb political influence in the redistricting process. The judges additionally found that the congressional districts drawn by Democrats had violated an explicit state ban on partisan gerrymandering.
David Wasserman of the Cook Political Report thinks the ruling could cost Democrats three seats in the U.S. House:
In a 4-3 ruling, NY's top court has turned Dems' 2022 House outlook from terrible to potentially horrific. A court-appointed special master will draw a remedial map, perhaps costing Dems three NY seats they otherwise would have gained & making Rs clear redistricting winners.
— Dave Wasserman (@Redistrict) April 27, 2022