S8639

The New York State Senate defeated a congressional redistricting map submitted by the Independent Redistricting Commission on a roll call vote of 17 ayes to 40 nays, Calendar Number 466, Senate Print 8639. The map, which had been approved by nine of ten IRC commissioners, faced opposition from Democratic senators who argued it violated state constitutional guidelines. Sen. Gianaris, voting against the measure, cited excessive county divisions and evidence of bipartisan incumbent protection as constitutional violations. He pledged to work with Assembly colleagues on an alternative map. Supporters, including Sen. Borrello and Sen. Martins—a former IRC member—defended the map as representing the will of the people who voted for the IRC process through constitutional amendment. They emphasized the nine-to-one commission consensus as evidence of the map's fairness and the process working as intended. The defeat of the IRC map leaves the state's congressional redistricting process in limbo, with the Assembly still needing to address the matter.