GOP Appeals New York Order Redrawing Staten Island–Brooklyn House District Over Minority Vote Dilution Finding
Republicans have appealed a New York judge’s ruling that struck down and ordered a redraw of the Staten Island–Brooklyn congressional district (NY‑11), with Justice Jeffrey Pearlman finding the lines diluted minority voting power under the New York Voting Rights Act and directing the Independent Redistricting Commission to produce a new map by Feb. 6. The lawsuit was brought by Marc Elias’ firm, and New York GOP chair Ed Cox accused Gov. Kathy Hochul and the attorney general of “colluding with the plaintiffs” by not defending the 2024 map. Republicans have filed appeals in both a mid‑level appellate court and the state Court of Appeals as the dispute — over a district that has backed Trump and GOP Senate candidates in recent cycles — unfolds amid broader national redistricting battles.
📌 Key Facts
- Justice Jeffrey Pearlman ordered the Independent Redistricting Commission to complete a new map for NY-11 by Feb. 6.
- Republicans have filed formal appeals of the NY-11 ruling in both a mid-level New York appellate court and the state’s highest court, the Court of Appeals.
- The lawsuit was brought under the New York Voting Rights Act and the New York Constitution and was led by Marc Elias’ firm; Elias Law Group partner Aria Branch provided extended on‑the‑record remarks.
- New York GOP chair Ed Cox accused Gov. Kathy Hochul and the attorney general of 'colluding with the plaintiffs' by not defending the 2024 map changes, criticizing state officials’ litigation posture.
- NY-11 has recently trended Republican: it voted for Donald Trump in 2016, 2020 and 2024 and backed GOP Senate candidates in 2022 and 2024, despite earlier Democratic support.
- The New York Court of Appeals previously struck down a Democrat‑favored map in 2024, and that same court will ultimately decide this challenge.
- Fox places the NY-11 fight in a broader national context, noting active partisan redistricting efforts in Texas, California, Virginia, Missouri, Ohio, North Carolina and Florida aimed at shifting multiple House seats before 2026.
📰 Source Timeline (3)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Republicans have filed formal appeals of the NY-11 ruling in both a mid‑level New York appellate court and the state’s highest court, the Court of Appeals.
- The article reiterates that the New York Court of Appeals previously struck down a Democrat‑favored map in 2024, underscoring that the same court will eventually decide this case.
- The Fox piece places the NY-11 fight in a broader national context, noting active partisan redistricting pushes in Texas, California, Virginia, Missouri, Ohio, North Carolina and Florida aimed at shifting multiple House seats before 2026.
- Fox piece restates that Justice Jeffrey Pearlman ordered the Independent Redistricting Commission to complete a new map for NY-11 by Feb. 6.
- Article emphasizes that the lawsuit was brought under the New York Voting Rights Act and New York Constitution and was led by Marc Elias’ firm, with extended quotes from Elias Law Group partner Aria Branch.
- It includes on-the-record partisan reaction from New York GOP chair Ed Cox accusing Gov. Kathy Hochul and the attorney general of 'colluding with the plaintiffs' by not defending the 2024 map changes, adding a concrete allegation about state officials’ litigation posture.
- The story underlines that NY-11 has voted for Trump in 2016, 2020 and 2024 and backed GOP Senate candidates in 2022 and 2024, reinforcing its recent Republican trend despite earlier Democratic support.