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A New York congressional map drawn up by Democrats in the state legislature has been blocked by the highest court in the state.
On Wednesday (April 27, New York Supreme Court ruled 4-3 that the congressional map violated the state constitution by facilitating partisan gerrymandering, CNN reports. The redistricting would've given Democrats the advantage in 22 of New York's 26 congressional districts, according to reporters. Judges wrote that the map was "drawn with impermissible partisan purpose" and "to discourage competition."
The map, which was signed off by Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul, was also deemed unconstitutional by two lower courts. The court's decision placed the responsibility of redrawing the map in the hands of lower court Judge Patrick McCallister. He appointed Jonathon Cervas as a special master to help him create the map, setting the deadline for May 24.
New York's primary election is scheduled for June 24, but due to the Wednesday ruling, judges wrote it will "likely be necessary" to move the congressional elections to August.
Now the Empire State is one of four without active congressional maps, including Missouri, New Hampshire, and Kansas. Meanwhile, other states have faced pushback against their congressional maps, such as Ohio and Alabama.
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