Governor Hochul and Attorney General James push for court to order independent redistricting commission to re-draw congressional district lines

ALBANY, NY- Governor Kathy Hochul and New York Attorney General Letitia James filed an amicus brief Friday in support of efforts to redraw New York's Congressional district lines, rather than leaving the lines drawn by a court-appointed special master in place between now and the 2030 census.

The state's Independent Redistricting Commission's lines were challenged in the courts, resulting in a special master drawing lines ahead of the 2022 Election.

In the brief, filed in the Appellate Division, Third Department, Governor Hochul and Attorney General James assert that while the special master's maps may have been appropriate for the 2022 Election, there is significant time for the Independent Redistricting Commission to generate new maps and follow the process outlined in the New York State Constitution for Congressional maps going forward.

"I am committed to protecting the rights of all New Yorkers to fully participate in our electoral system," Governor Hochul said.

"We are urging the court to support the Constitutionally-protected process in order to ensure accountability and fairness for New York voters."

"Our state's Constitution makes it clear that an independent body, with participation from the general public, is charged with drawing maps for Congressional districts," Attorney General James said.

Letitia James.

"Relying on a process with no accountability and with limited time for public input is not how we engage the public and ensure their interests are addressed throughout this process. I am committed to ensuring our electoral process is as transparent as possible and that we follow the process outlined in our Constitution. New Yorkers deserve free and fair elections, and to have a say in how their communities will be represented in Congress."

Image via the office of New York Governor Kathy Hochul.