Supreme Court blocks redraw of lone GOP-held district in New York City

"Justice Samuel Alito wrote that the Supreme Court had to act now because 'there is an unacceptably strong possibility that the applicants' appeal in the state court system will not conclude until it is too late for us to review the ultimate decision.' The candidate filing deadline in New York is April 6."

"The court sided with GOP Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, who had asked the justices to block a ruling from a state judge this year that her Staten Island-based 11th District was unconstitutional. The judge said the district diluted Black and Latin voting power and ordered New York's independent redistricting commission to redraw it."

"The Supreme Court's ruling comes amid an active mid-decade redistricting battle taking place across the country as both parties vie for control of the narrowly divided House this fall. Democrats who had initially filed the lawsuit over the district lines in New York had hoped a redraw would pave the way for them to pick up a seat."

The Supreme Court ruled to maintain New York City's 11th Congressional District in its current form for the midterm elections, rejecting a state judge's determination that the district unconstitutionally diluted Black and Latino voting power. Justice Samuel Alito cited time constraints, noting the state court appeal would likely not conclude before the April 6 candidate filing deadline. Republican Rep. Nicole Malliotakis sought the Supreme Court intervention after a state judge ordered the independent redistricting commission to redraw the district. The decision reflects broader mid-decade redistricting battles nationwide as both parties compete for control of the narrowly divided House. Democrats had filed the original lawsuit hoping redistricting would enable them to gain a seat.

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