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The margins in Congress are narrow, and two states are in the process of redrawing their congressional maps to favor one political party over the other. Texas’ Legislature has voted to accept redrawn voting maps to shift the makeup of its congressional delegation by five seats. California has an independent redistricting commission but wants to issue new maps, also shifting five seats, to counter Texas’ action.

More states may join in — but New York doesn’t have the option. Our independent redistricting commission is written into the state constitution, and any amendment would need to pass the state Legislature over two consecutive sessions before it could go to the voters, at least a two-year process.

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