Judge Rules NYC’s Lone GOP Congressional District Is Unconstitutional

A New York state judge has ordered the redrawing of New York City’s only Republican-held congressional district, a decision Republicans are condemning as a judicially driven power grab ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

State Supreme Court Justice Jeffrey Pearlman ruled Wednesday that the boundaries of New York’s 11th Congressional District violate the state constitution, claiming the map unlawfully dilutes the voting strength of Black and Latino residents. The district—currently represented by Republican Rep. Nicole Malliotakis—includes all of Staten Island and portions of southern Brooklyn.

In his decision, Pearlman argued that the district lines failed to account for demographic shifts and did not sufficiently safeguard minority voting power, as required under state law. He directed New York’s Independent Redistricting Commission to submit a new map by February 6, setting off a rapid redraw process with potentially major consequences for control of the U.S. House.

The legal challenge was brought by a group of voters represented by an election law firm closely aligned with Democrats. Plaintiffs contended that growth among Black and Hispanic populations on Staten Island warranted a reconfiguration of the district and accused the current map of concentrating those voters in a way that limited their political influence. Their proposal would expand the district into lower Manhattan, a reliably Democratic stronghold.

Republicans swiftly blasted the ruling as a partisan maneuver disguised as constitutional enforcement. Malliotakis warned that the decision threatens to override the will of Staten Island voters and confirmed that an appeal is likely.

She called the ruling “a frivolous attempt by Washington Democrats to steal this congressional seat from the people and we are very confident that we will prevail at the end of the day.”

GOP leaders echoed those concerns, cautioning that the court-ordered redraw could effectively wipe out New York City’s lone Republican voice in Congress.

Democrats and allied activists, however, praised the decision. Supporters of the lawsuit argued that the ruling enforces constitutional protections against racial vote dilution and ensures that congressional districts reflect population changes rather than electoral outcomes.

“We are pleased that the court correctly recognized that the current district lines have systematically diluted the votes of Black and Latino Staten Islanders, despite decades of demographic growth in those communities,” Elias Law Group Partner Aria Branch said, per Fox News.

The Elias Law Group is a well-known left-wing firm deeply embedded in Democratic political operations. Branch further claimed the ruling confirms that New York’s Constitution “provides robust protections against racial vote dilution, and we are proud to have stood with our clients to vindicate those rights.”

Pearlman also asserted there was substantial evidence of a “racially polarized voting bloc,” along with “a history of discrimination that impacts current day political participation and representation,” and maintained “that racial appeals are still made in political campaigns today.”

The decision adds to New York’s long-running redistricting wars, which have faced repeated court challenges since the 2020 census. In 2022, a Democratic-crafted congressional map was struck down, resulting in a court-imposed alternative that allowed Republicans to flip several seats.

Nationally, the ruling comes as redistricting battles intensify under President Donald J. Trump’s second-term administration, with both parties waging legal fights ahead of the 2026 midterms—an election cycle widely expected to determine control of the House. Similar lawsuits are unfolding across the country, highlighting the expanding role of courts in reshaping America’s electoral map.

If the ruling is upheld, the redesigned 11th District could become dramatically more competitive—or shift safely into Democratic hands—depending on how new boundaries are drawn. Appeals are expected, and the final outcome may remain unsettled deep into the election season.