Dem judge rules only GOP district in NYC is 'unconstitutional' because it cuts out minority voters

A New York Supreme Court judge who previously worked as an attorney for Democrat New York Governor Kathy Hochul has ordered that the lines of a GOP-held congressional district in NYC need to be redrawn as Democrats have been pushing to gain an electoral advantage in the upcoming 2026 midterms.

The order from the judge hands the Democrats a win in the upcoming redistricting push. Judge Jeffrey Pearlman ruled that the boundaries for Rep. Nicole Malliotakis’ district in Staten Island as well as Brooklyn are "unconstitutional," arguing that the GOP district was cutting out minority voters. Pearlman has previously served on the Albany County, New York Democratic Committee. 

"It is hereby ordered that the configuration of New York State's 11th Congressional District under the 2024 Congressional Map is deemed unconstitutional under Article III, Section 4(c)(1) of the New York State Constitution," Pearlman wrote, later adding in the order, "This case shall not be deemed resolved until the successful implementation of a new Congressional Map complying with this order."

The redistricting will take place outside of the usual 10-year census cycle, likely giving Democrats a higher chance at winning the district and gaining a seat in the House of Representatives.

“This was a partisan ruling made by a partisan judge in a case brought by a notoriously partisan attorney,” New York Republican Committee Chairman Ed Cox said in a statement blasting the ruling from Pearlman, per the New York Post. The decision is likely to be appealed all the way up to the US Supreme Court.

“Kathy Hochul and Albany Democrats did not alter this district when they had a chance in 2024. This entire exercise is a cynical attempt to enact an illegal partisan gerrymander under the guise of a voting rights case,” Cox added.

Democrats, however, cheered the ruling from Pearlman. “This ruling is the first step toward ensuring communities of interest remain intact from Staten Island to Lower Manhattan. The voters of New York deserve the fairest congressional map possible,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said.

The new map will have to be drawn out by February 6, according to the ruling. The redistricting comes as Republicans and Democrats have been vying for positions to take more seats in Congress through redistricting in different states around the nation. President Donald Trump backed an initial redistricting effort in Texas and Democrats have responded in states like California and elsewhere.

The party in power has historically underperformed in the midterms, and with the GOP's slim minority in the House, just a few seats could flip Congress to the Democrats in 2026.