Democrats Plan to Redistrict New York State Amid Redistricting Battle with Republicans

Strategic Insights -

As the partisan battle over redistricting intensifies, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced plans to redraw the state's congressional districts, days after Republican lawmakers in Texas attempted to redraw their map to favor Donald Trump. The move comes after 57 Democratic lawmakers from Texas fled to New York and Illinois to deny the Texas House of Representatives a quorum, which is required to vote on the redrawn map.

The Democratic lawmakers, whom Hochul described as "brave patriots," face fines of $500 each for every day they break the quorum, and under new state laws, they are not allowed to use party funding to pay for their trip. The delegation of Texas lawmakers who traveled to New York did not disclose their next destination but stated they would not be returning to Texas.

Hochul accused Trump of masterminding the Texas redistricting plan, which could create an additional five Republican seats, and claimed the Republicans had redrawn the congressional map on "racist lines" to disenfranchise Texans. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton threatened to have the fleeing lawmakers arrested, while Governor Greg Abbott suggested they could be charged with felonies for fundraising to cover costs incurred by the stunt.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Democratic lawmakers from Texas are facing fines of $500 each for every day they break the quorum, and under new state laws, they are not allowed to use party funding to pay for their trip.
  • The Texas redistricting plan could create an additional five Republican seats and has been accused of being drawn on "racist lines" to disenfranchise Texans.
  • New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced plans to redraw the state's congressional districts, which would involve amending the state's constitution.
  • The changes in New York would take years, unlike the potential changes in Texas, which could take place by 2026 after the 2020 US Census.
  • The Republicans in Texas have rejected allegations of racism, with Texas State Representative Mihaela Plesa saying the playing field has changed, and it's time to meet Democrats on the new field.
  • Redistricting usually happens after the once-a-decade population count by the US Census Bureau or in response to a court ruling.

Statistics:

  • 57: The number of Democratic lawmakers from Texas who fled to New York and Illinois to deny the Texas House of Representatives a quorum.
  • $500: The fine each Democratic lawmaker from Texas faces for every day they break the quorum.
  • 38: The number of seats Texas has in the House of Representatives.
  • 25: The number of seats held by the Republican party in the House of Representatives in Texas.
  • 12: The number of seats held by the Democratic party in the House of Representatives in Texas.
  • 1: The number of vacant seats in the House of Representatives in Texas following the death of Sylvester Turner in March.
  • 2026: The potential year when new boundaries could be put in place in Texas after the 2020 US Census.

Sources:

  • Susie Coen, "Democrats plan to redistrict New York state after Republicans attempted to redraw Texas's congressional districts," DEMOCRATS, 2023.
  • Kathy Hochul, Governor of New York, speaking at a press conference in Albany, 2023.
  • Texas State Representative Mihaela Plesa, speaking at a press conference, 2023.
  • Ken Paxton, Attorney General of Texas, Twitter post, 2023.
  • Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas, Twitter post, 2023.
  • Ron DeSantis, Governor of Florida, statement, 2023.