A New York federal judge ruled that the boundaries of the congressional district covering southern Brooklyn and Staten Island must be redrawn because the current map dilutes Black and Hispanic voters’ power, citing minority vote dilution under the state constitution.

The ruling marks an early Democratic win in the national debate over redistricting and gerrymandering ahead of the midterm elections, with the court ordering a new map to address representation gaps.

Republicans criticized the lawsuit as an attempt to redraw lines to favor Democrats and to undermine one of the state’s few GOP districts.

Analysts noted uncertainty about whether the Independent Redistricting Commission can meet the February 6 deadline given a vacancy and its chamber‑divided appointment structure.

The order requires the Board of Elections to plan well in advance for the 2026 cycle and keeps the case open until a compliant map is implemented.

The decision enjoins any election or effect of the current map and directs the commission to reconvene and draft a compliant map by the deadline.

Campaigns, donors and community groups are adjusting to potential redraws as the commission works under tight time constraints to prepare a new map.

The court set February 6 as the deadline for the commission to produce a new map, with the Legislature historically stepping in if consensus cannot be reached.

If upheld, the ruling would force the commission to revise the district for the 2026 elections, a process described as time-consuming under state law.

The ruling could affect candidate plans and timelines for the 2026 congressional elections, including potential implications for primaries and petition deadlines if appeals extend.

Source attribution: Information in the story includes reporting from the Associated Press.

The decision could spark further legal challenges and appeals as parties reargue how redistricting should account for demographic changes since the last census.