Newsdata · Florida Government

Is redistricting war slowing down?

The most encouraging redistricting news of the year came from two states that did nothing. Illinois lawmakers adjourned without drawing new congressional maps. South Carolina legislators, including Republicans, rejected a President Donald Trump-backed remap that would have tilted the political playing field. Better yet, it was a bipartisan move — Republicans joined Democrats in opposition. Given this news, we were left hoping the mid-decade redistricting wars were slowing down. But just when it looked like the mid-decade redistricting wars were cooling, New York reminded everyone that the next battle may already be underway. Last Wednesday, the New York’s Democratic Party-controlled legislature advanced a proposal that would significantly weaken New York’s current independent redistricting system and give the legislature much more control over drawing political maps. Under current law, New York’s constitution explicitly prohibits drawing districts to favor or disfavor political parties. If ultimately approved by both chambers of the legislature and New York voters, the proposal could clear the way for mid-decade congressional redistricting before the 2028 election, leading to more seats for Democrats. New York voters approved an independent commission in 2014 to help draw congressional and legislative districts and to limit partisan gerrymandering. Now, voters may have to...