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A judge has ruled that New York’s only Republican-held congressional district is unconstitutional, ordering state officials to redraw its boundaries by February 6. State Supreme Court Justice Jeffrey Pearlman determined that New York’s 11th Congressional District, which encompasses Staten Island and parts of southern Brooklyn, illegally dilutes the voting power of Black and Hispanic residents.
The district is currently represented by Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, who won the seat in 2020. Following the ruling, Malliotakis issued a defiant statement, calling it “a frivolous attempt by Washington Democrats to steal this congressional seat from the people,” and expressed confidence in ultimately prevailing.
The 11th District has increasingly favored Republicans in recent years, supporting Donald Trump in the 2016, 2020, and 2024 presidential elections. It also backed Republican Senate candidates in 2022 and 2024, after previously supporting Democratic incumbents in those races.
The lawsuit challenging the district’s configuration was filed by Democratic attorney Marc Elias’ law firm. It argued that the current boundaries systematically undermine the political influence of Staten Island’s growing minority populations, violating protections guaranteed under the New York Voting Rights Act.
“We are pleased that the court correctly recognized that the current district lines have systematically diluted the votes of Black and Latino Staten Islanders, despite decades of demographic growth in those communities,” said Aria Branch, a partner at Elias Law Group. Branch added that the ruling reinforces the robust protections against racial vote dilution provided by New York’s Constitution.
In his ruling, Justice Pearlman cited “strong evidence” of a “racially polarized voting bloc” and “a history of discrimination that impacts current day political participation and representation.” He also noted that “racial appeals are still made in political campaigns today.”
Republicans are expected to appeal the decision, further intensifying nationwide battles over congressional redistricting ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Ed Cox, chairman of the New York State Republican Committee, criticized the ruling as politically motivated, arguing that Governor Kathy Hochul and state Democrats had previously opted not to change the district in 2024.
“This entire exercise is a cynical attempt to enact an illegal partisan gerrymander under the guise of a voting rights case,” Cox said. “It is shocking that the Governor and Attorney General did not defend the law that the legislature passed and the Governor signed in 2024 – they are clearly colluding with the plaintiffs in this case.”
New York’s congressional map has been the subject of ongoing legal disputes since the 2020 census. Democrats’ initial redistricting plan was struck down as unconstitutional gerrymandering, prompting a court to order an independent redrawing that significantly altered district boundaries. Those maps were used in the 2022 midterms but were later invalidated and redrawn again before the 2024 election.
Governor Hochul expressed support for the court’s decision, saying it “underscores the importance of these constitutional principles” and ensures “impacted communities are fully represented and have a voice in our democracy.”
Staten Island Republican Party Chairman Michael Tannousis strongly condemned the ruling, calling it “a complete sham” and accusing Democrats of trying to “fracture our community because they don’t like how we vote.”
The case highlights the continuing political and legal battles over redistricting nationwide, as both parties maneuver to gain electoral advantages through the drawing of congressional boundaries. The outcome of this particular dispute could potentially shift the balance of power in New York’s congressional delegation, where Republicans currently hold only a handful of seats in an overwhelmingly Democratic state.
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12 Comments
While the ruling may be viewed as politically motivated, the judge seems to have identified some legitimate concerns about the district’s configuration. I’ll be interested to see the new map.
Regardless of partisan affiliations, the goal should be to create districts that accurately reflect the will of the people. Hopefully this process leads to a more representative outcome.
This ruling is likely to reignite the ongoing debate about gerrymandering and the need for independent redistricting commissions. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.
Regardless of one’s political leanings, the goal should be to create districts that accurately reflect the will of the voters. Hopefully this process leads to a more representative outcome.
The 11th district has been a Republican stronghold, so this ruling could significantly shake up the political landscape in New York. I wonder how it will impact future elections.
Redistricting is always a contentious issue, but it’s important that the process is fair and transparent. I hope the redrawn map is seen as legitimate by all stakeholders.
The legal challenge to the 11th district’s boundaries raises important questions about fair representation. It will be important to ensure the redrawn map upholds democratic principles.
Redistricting can be a contentious process, but it’s crucial that the new boundaries are drawn in a way that gives all voters a fair say.
Interesting ruling on the congressional redistricting in NYC. I’m curious to see how the redrawn boundaries will impact the political dynamics in the 11th district.
This will certainly be a closely watched race going forward. The outcome could shift the balance of power in the House of Representatives.
The judge’s ruling that the 11th district illegally dilutes the voting power of minority residents is a significant finding. I’ll be watching closely to see how the new map addresses this issue.
Redistricting is always a complex and contentious process, but it’s crucial that the final map upholds democratic principles and gives all voters a fair say.