Representative Nicole Malliotakis, a Republican from New York, on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York, U.S., on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. (Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
The lawsuit, filed by Democratic attorney Marc Elias’ law firm, argued that the existing district dilutes the voting power of Staten Island's growing Black and Latino populations, violating minority protections 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," Elias Law Group Partner Aria Branch said.
Branch added that the ruling reaffirms that New York's Constitution "provides robust protections against racial vote dilution, and we are proud to have stood with our clients to vindicate those rights."
VIRGINIA DEMOCRATS MOVE TO SEIZE REDISTRICTING POWER, OPENING DOOR TO 4 NEW LEFT-LEANING SEATS
NY Gov. Kathy Hochul speaks with Moms First CEO Reshma Saujani during the Economic Club of New York luncheon on September 18, 2025, in New York City. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
New York was forced to redraw its congressional districts after the 2020 census, sparking a legal battle over maps used in the 2022 midterms. Democrats’ initial map was struck down as unconstitutional gerrymandering, leading a court to order an independent redraw that dramatically reshaped districts. While those maps were used in 2022, they were later thrown out and redrawn again ahead of the 2024 election.
Hochul welcomed the ruling, saying the state Constitution guarantees fair representation.
"The court’s decision underscores the importance of these constitutional principles and directs the congressional map be redrawn by the New York Independent Redistricting Commission so impacted communities are fully represented and have a voice in our democracy," she said in a statement.
Staten Island Republican Party Chairman Michael Tannousis reacted to the ruling, calling the decision "a complete sham."
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"They are trying to fracture our community because they don't like how we vote," he said in a statement. "It’s rigged. It’s transparently partisan, and it’s wrong."
Fox News Digital's Elizabeth Elkind and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Michael Sinkewicz is a writer for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to michael.sinkewicz@fox.com
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/judge-rules-nycs-lone-republican-congressional-district-unconstitutional-orders-redraw