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, invalidated in Harkenrider v. Hochul (congressional and State Senate maps) and Nichols v. Hochul (State Assembly maps).

The court in Harkenrider hired a special master to draw remedial districts. A remedial decision in Nichols is forthcoming.  Plaintiffs petitioned for a writ of mandamus, asking the court to set aside the legislature’s adopted maps as well as the special master’s congressional maps, and order the Commission to draw a set of remedial 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 districts.   On Dec. 12, 2023, the state supreme court affirmed that decision requiring the Commission to draw a new set of maps.