Proposed changes to congressional maps in New York could tip the scales in some close elections as control of the US House of Representatives hangs in the balance.
A bipartisan panel was set Thursday to propose new maps, which will then need approval from the Democratic-controlled state Legislature.
The panel is pitching a few changes to upstate battleground districts, redrawing Republican Brandon Williams’ 22nd district to include more Democrat-friendly territory like the city of Syracuse and village of Auburb, according to the plans obtained by The Post.
While Democrats stand to potentially benefit from the changes to the 22nd District, that comes at the cost of giving Rep. Marc Molinaro (R-19) some more conservative-leaning ground in Central New York such as Otsego County. Rep. Pat Ryan (D-18) would also have to compete in some areas north of Kingston under the proposed lines.
The new maps show little to no changes in New York City and Long Island congressional districts. Seemingly unchaged is the 16th district, which is in the site of a hotly contested Democratic primary between ‘Squad’ member Jamaal Bowman and moderate challenger George Latimer.
The neighboring 17th district, held by first-term Republican Mike Lawler, also appears to be mostly the same compared to existing maps.
If the new lines are pproved by the redistricting panel Thursday, they will be sent to the state Legislature and subsequently Gov. Kathy Hochul for approval.
Should the new lines not receive approval in either house of the legislature, they can be sent back to the redistricting commission to redo.
If they’re rejected again, lawmakers may draw its own lines – giving the two-thirds Democratic majorities a chance to gerrymander the maps.
“I don’t want to rule out coming back next week if necessary,” Democratic Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins told reporters next week about bringing lawmakers back to Albany to vote on a plan.
Petitioning for Congressional races is slated to begin Feb. 27, giving candidates and boards of elections little time to adjust to the changes.
New York’s congressional races may be crucial for the control of the House of Representatives following the 2024 election.
Under the current maps, four of New York’s Congressional Districts are rated as toss ups by the Cook Political Report.
Democrat Tom Suozzi’s win in a special election in Nassau County and Queens Tuesday leaves Republicans with a narrow six-vote majority in the chamber.
The maps are being redrawn after the state’s highest court ruled the redistricting commission should get a second crack at submitting plans to the legislature.
The commission broke down during its first attempt to draw the maps in 2021, ultimately leading courts to draw the districts that are currently in place.