Senator Joe Griffo releases statement on congressional redistricting court arguments

New York’s Court of Appeals listened to arguments Wednesday over a lawsuit that may lead to another re-design of congressional districts statewide.

According to the latest from the Associated Press, Democrats have aims to whip up some new maps that will favor them for the 2024 election.

As originally covered, district maps utilized in 2022 were originally supposed to be drawn by an independent redistricting commission, but no one could reach a consensus, paving way for a Democratically controlled legislature to draw their own maps.

But on the other hand, a legal challenge ultimately decided the legislature failed to follow proper protocols for adopting the new maps.

After a judge-appointed independent expert drew the new set of maps, Republicans subsequently flipped numerous seats in New York City suburbs and ultimately gained their edge in the House.

Now, reports suggest that Democrats argue the maps should be re-drawn, again, using procedures in state law instead of re-using the court drawn maps from last-year. “I understand that a court’s opinion may evolve over time and that there are new judges in place,” said State Senator Joe Griffo (R, C – Rome).

“However, the court deciding to engage on this issue a little over a year after appointing an independent special master to draw the latest district lines makes no sense. It establishes a dangerous precedent where our judicial system appears to be or is becoming political, which has accordingly contributed to an erosion of confidence in the judiciary.”

In addition to New York’s district map fiasco, there are numerous other redistricting squabbles taking place in other states throughout the U.S.

Senator Joe Griffo image.