New York Democrats take first step toward new U.S. House map for 2028

NEW YORK, June 4 (Reuters) – New York Democrats have taken the first step toward redrawing the state’s congressional map for the 2028 election cycle, ​a move that could eventually yield a handful of U.S. House ‌of Representatives seats for the party.

The state Senate and state Assembly, both controlled by Democrats, advanced a proposed constitutional amendment late on Wednesday that would allow lawmakers to sidestep ​an independent redistricting commission and draw new, more favorable lines.

Under state ​law, the legislature must pass the amendment again in 2027, and ⁠then voters would have to approve the measure in a referendum ahead ​of 2028. Among other changes, the amendment would eliminate New York’s current ban ​on partisan gerrymandering, the process of drawing maps to benefit one party over another.

Democrats currently hold 19 of the state’s 26 U.S. House seats. A new map could provide Democrats ​with up to four additional seats, analysts say.

Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul and ​Democratic U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who represents a district in New York City’s ‌Brooklyn ⁠borough, have both called on state lawmakers to act aggressively to counter Republican efforts to redraw maps, part of a national redistricting war that has reshaped dozens of districts around the country.

Republicans have opened up a significant advantage in ​recent weeks, thanks to ​a U.S. ⁠Supreme Court decision in April that severely weakened the Voting Rights Act. Several Republican-led Southern states have rushed to eliminate Democratic-held ​districts with significant Black populations that no longer enjoy ​robust legal ⁠protections.

Democrats, however, remain favored to win control of the U.S. House in November’s midterm elections, with President Donald Trump’s negative approval ratings dragging down his party.

New York ⁠is ​expected to be among several states, both Democratic- ​and Republican-controlled, that attempt to draw new maps ahead of the 2028 elections, ensuring the redistricting ​fight extends into another electoral cycle.