New York Democrats push redistricting amendment, joining national battle

Democrats have finalized their plans for a state constitutional amendment to change New York’s redistricting process — joining a national battle over drawing congressional boundaries.

The changes would enable Democrats to shift as many as four Republican-held House seats to their column in the 26-member delegation — giving the party a slight edge in a state with several swing districts.

According to a memo summarizing the plan reviewed by POLITICO, the amendment would remove the state constitution’s prohibition on mid-decade changes, let Democrats approve maps with a simple majority vote, and delete a prohibition on maps drawn to benefit political parties.