A New York Supreme Court justice ruled earlier this week that the state’s 11th Congressional District needs to be redrawn, likely jeopardizing another Republican seat as the nationwide redistricting battle rages on.
Acting Supreme Court Justice Jeffrey Pearlman ruled that the map is unconstitutional on the grounds of it being racially discriminatory, and ordered that the state’s Independent Redistricting Committee should have a new map compliant with the ruling by February 6.
“Petitioners have shown strong evidence of racially polarized voting bloc […] they have demonstrated a history of discrimination that impacts current day political participation and representation, and they have shown that racial appeals are still made in political campaigns today,” the ruling stated.
Republican Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis represents the district, which covers Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn.
“We are reviewing the judge’s decision and our options to protect the voices of the people of Staten Island and Brooklyn,” Malliotakis said on X. “Nothing changes the fact that this is a frivolous attempt by Washington Democrats to steal this congressional seat from the people and we are very confident that we will prevail at the end of the day.”
The New York Daily News editorial board also railed against the ruling, asking if “some higher court, either the Manhattan Appellate Division or the state Court of Appeals, New York’s highest bench, please stop this nonsense? Otherwise, the U.S. Supreme Court will have to get involved.”
However, some Democrats rejoiced at the news, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who also represents parts of New York City.
“This ruling is the first step toward ensuring communities of interest remain intact from Staten Island to Lower Manhattan,” Jeffries said in a statement. “New Yorkers deserve the fairest congressional map possible.”
Mid-decade redistricting has faced a complicated mix of successes in battles throughout the country, including in Texas and California. The United States Supreme Court already ruled that Texas’ five additional GOP-favored seats can hold, as California Republicans are hoping to take their fight against five Democrat-favored seats to the court as well.
