A state challenge to the process of drawing district lines.  Under Art. III §4(b) of the state constitution, the state’s independent commission is charged with drawing new maps; if those maps are not adopted by the state legislature or are vetoed by the Governor, the Commission is directed to draw a second set of maps. The Commission’s first maps were rejected by the state legislature, and the legislature then adopted its own maps.  In Harkenrider v. Hochul, the court held this process invalid, and drew remedial congressional and State Senate maps itself for the 2022 elections.

Plaintiffs here asked the court to order the Commission to draw a second set of congressional maps, pursuant to the state constitutional process.

On Sept. 12, 2022, the trial court dismissed the challenge, but on July 13, 2023, the appellate court reversed, and ordered the Commission to draw new congressional districts.   On Dec. 12, 2023, the state supreme court affirmed that decision, requiring the Commission to draw a new set of congressional maps.