Why New York Democrats want to redraw congressional maps and what it could mean for the 2028 elections

Key points

• Democrats in New York have begun a process that could significantly reshape the state's congressional districts ahead of the 2028 elections, potentially giving the party several additional seats in the US House of Representatives.
• The move is part of a broader national battle over redistricting, as both Democrats and Republicans seek to gain electoral advantages through the drawing of congressional boundaries.
• The New York State Senate and State Assembly, both controlled by Democrats, have advanced a proposed constitutional amendment that would change how congressional maps are drawn in the state.
• The proposal would reduce the role of New York's independent redistricting commission and give state lawmakers greater authority to draw district boundaries.
• The amendment would also remove the state's current constitutional prohibition on partisan gerrymandering — the practice of drawing electoral districts to favor one political party.