Group rallies ahead of vote on proposed congressional redistricting map

The new district lines will be voted on later this week, and the proposed redistricting could potentially give Democrats as many as three more congressional seats.

News 12 Staff

Feb 1, 2022, 5:18 PM

Updated 978 days ago

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A proposed congressional redistricting map released by state legislators on Sunday has been on the receiving end of criticism from around the city.
The new district lines will be voted on later this week, and the proposed redistricting could potentially give Democrats as many as three more congressional seats.
People rallied in Manhattan Monday morning, calling for the public's voice to be heard before the vote and saying there is no opening for public input on the proposed map.
As a result of the 2020 census, congressional district lines needed to be redrawn. An independent bipartisan commission tried submitting two sets of maps, but both were rejected by state lawmakers. These lawmakers over the weekend took their turn at redrawing the lines.
Political expert Dr. Christopher Malone says as a result, it's a much bluer set of maps than the commission would have come up with.
"They've redrawn the maps so that there are the same number of people, but it's just different people in that district," he says.
For instance, NY-11 is a district that covers Staten Island and southern Brooklyn that was +11 for former President Donald Trump in the 2020 election. Under the new lines, the district instead would have gone for President Joe Biden.
The state Legislature will vote on the new maps this week.