Gov. Kathy Hochul is leaving open the possibility of another congressional redistricting push, but says Democrats’ election gains have changed the calculation behind a proposal to give Albany greater control over district lines.
“The political landscape has changed,” Hochul said in comments reported by Spectrum News. She plans to consult House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries and state legislative leaders before deciding how to proceed.
The governor has not committed to advancing the amendment again. Her comments leave the proposal alive without establishing that lawmakers will take the next required step in 2027.
New York legislators gave the constitutional amendment its first approval in June. A second, separately elected Legislature must approve it before the measure can go to voters.
The amendment, S10637A, would authorize lawmakers to revise congressional districts before the next census-based redistricting cycle. Its sponsors describe temporary authority that could be used for the 2028 and 2030 elections.
The measure also reaches beyond those elections. It would revise the independent redistricting commission’s role and legislative approval procedures, authorize congressional revisions between future census cycles, and remove constitutional language prohibiting district lines drawn to favor or disadvantage political parties, incumbents or candidates.
Federal constitutional and statutory requirements would remain applicable.
The sponsors’ memorandum argues that New York’s existing process has produced confusion, litigation, postponed elections and rushed decisions. It presents greater legislative flexibility as a remedy.
Opponents see a retreat from protections intended to prevent lawmakers from choosing their voters.
In a statement issued after the June vote, Republican state Sen. Jim Tedisco criticized partisan redistricting by either party and argued that New York should preserve an independent process.
“Partisan gerrymandering when it comes to redistricting is wrong no matter what party is in power,” Tedisco said.
The debate had already drawn warnings from government watchdogs. Reinvent Albany senior policy adviser Rachael Fauss previously argued that removing restrictions could help incumbents weaken challengers and that voters might object to changes extending beyond a response to Republican mapmaking elsewhere.
If lawmakers approve the amendment again in time, voters could consider it as soon as November 2027. Approval would create authority to redraw districts; it would not itself establish new boundaries.
For Finger Lakes voters, no proposed replacement map accompanies this decision. Which communities might move between congressional districts would depend on a later mapmaking process, if the amendment advances and voters approve it.
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