During a press briefing on Monday, Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) was asked about options Democrats are exploring in New York to change their maps amid redistricting in Texas.
00:00Exploring all of the options. What will those look like? What do you see as the options on the table for Democrats in New York State to change our maps?
00:08Unlike other states like California and certainly Texas, we do have constraints that were put in place that the only way that we can change the timing on redistricting is to literally amend the New York State Constitution.
00:21There's a process involved in that. It requires an affirmative vote for two consecutive sessions of the legislature. Right now we're in the 2025-26 session.
00:31So a vote in 2025 or 2026 is the first step. 27-28 is the next session. This could literally go on the ballot in the fall of 27 and be enacted in time for the congressional races in 2028 as well as the presidential.
00:48So it is not the timeline that I would have preferred, but it does shave off four years from what would other be the process.
00:56But we're going to also look at litigation strategies. We're in close conversations about options there.
01:02And so I would say this, we're considering all options right now.
01:06Great, thank you guys.
01:07Thanks everybody.
01:07Mr. Speaker, you earlier said that you're asking editorial boards, I think you said a few moments ago, shouldn't ask you to quote-unquote play fair.
01:17So just so I have this straight, just so I'm clear, are you and the governor, are you saying that your plan is to quote-unquote not play fair just because in Texas they're not playing fair?
01:29Are you concerned about a slippery slope?
01:31The point that I'm trying to make is Democratic states have gone to independent redistricting commissions and they're so, or say nonpartisan.
01:41In politics there's no such thing as nonpartisan.
01:45So all I'm saying is I think it's difficult to ask New York, California, and other Democratic-leaning states to play nonpartisan while the Republicans play very partisan.
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