NY Republicans respond to decision to throw out Democrat-drawn Congressional district maps

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — New York Republicans Thursday responded to the highest court’s Wednesday decision to throw out the Democrat-drawn Congressional district maps, which were ruled unconstitutionally gerrymandered.

New York State Republican Committee Chair Nick Langworthy said he agrees with the move.

"The opportunity to have new maps for the Senate I think is a welcome possibility, especially on a fair basis drawn by a special master but my heart does go out to some candidates that have raised and spent a lot of money, gone and built relationships in new districts," Langworthy said.

The state may have to move Congressional and State Senate primary elections from June to August, though the Board of Elections doesn’t think the primary date will change for other races, including the race for governor and state assembly seats.

Either way, a new draft map has to be produced by state Judge Patrick McAllister and Jonathan Cervas, a postdoctoral fellow at Carnegie Mellon University’s Institute for Politics and Strategy by May 16.

The final map would have to be ready no later than May 24.

State election commissioners Friday asked the judge to stick to that schedule, or even speed it up to meet November election deadlines.

In past years, New York held primaries as late as September.