Williams v Board of Elections of the State of N.Y.

Holding The court held that the 2024 Congressional Map for New York’s 11th District violates Article III, Section 4 (c) (1) of the New York State Constitution by unlawfully diluting the votes of Black and Latino voters. The court ordered the Independent Redistricting Commission to reconvene and create a new map by February 6, 2026, rather than drawing the lines itself.

The court’s words

the configuration of New York State’s 11th Congressional District under the 2024 Congressional Map is deemed unconstitutional under article III, § 4 (c) (1) of the New York State Constitution

90 Misc 3d 241, at the official text

the proper remedy in this case is to reconvene the IRC to redraw the CD-11 map so that it comports with the standard described above

90 Misc 3d 241, at the official text

Utilizing the NY VRA, however convenient, is impermissible

90 Misc 3d 241, at the official text

This is an issue of first impression; New York courts have yet to determine the appropriate legal standard to evaluate a vote dilution claim

90 Misc 3d 241, at the official text