Former New York Gov. David Paterson is publicly pushing back against members of his own party over a proposed constitutional amendment that would give Democrats more control over congressional redistricting. He argues the plan could further damage public confidence in elections and deepen political divisions.
Speaking Sunday on 77 WABC’s The Cats Roundtable, Paterson criticized Gov. Kathy Hochul and Democratic lawmakers for backing a proposal that would make it easier to redraw congressional maps and potentially increase Democratic representation in Congress.
“They’re going to draw their own maps,” Paterson said, arguing the proposal is ultimately about gaining a political advantage. He suggested Hochul’s support may be driven in part by pressure from Democratic legislators who strongly favor the change.
“She’s almost taking a lead on it just to maintain that relationship,” Paterson said. “It’s a real problem.”
The debate comes as redistricting fights are heating up across the country. Republican-led states including Texas, Florida, Louisiana, Alabama, and Tennessee have explored ways to revisit congressional maps ahead of the 2026 midterms, even though redistricting is traditionally done once a decade after the census. Democratic-controlled states such as California, Virginia, and New York have responded with efforts of their own.
The proposed amendment would remove language in New York’s constitution that currently limits partisan gerrymandering and would allow congressional maps to be redrawn mid-decade. Critics say that would make it easier for lawmakers to shape districts for political benefit rather than fair representation.
Another change would lower the threshold for lawmakers to reject recommendations from the state’s bipartisan redistricting commission. Instead of requiring a two-thirds vote in both legislative chambers, a simple majority would be enough. Because Democrats hold large majorities in both the Senate and Assembly, opponents argue the change would effectively give one party final control over congressional maps.
The proposal would also eliminate language stating that districts “shall not be drawn to discourage competition,” a provision intended to prevent the creation of safe seats designed to favor one party.
Democrats currently hold 19 of New York’s 26 congressional seats and enjoy a statewide voter registration advantage of more than two-to-one over Republicans. Before the amendment can go before voters, it must pass the Legislature again next year. If approved, it would appear on the ballot in November 2027.
Paterson, who previously served as chairman of the New York Democratic Party, said the issue goes beyond partisan politics. He criticized both Democrats and Republicans for engaging in increasingly aggressive redistricting battles.
In his view, partisan gerrymandering undermines one of the country’s fundamental democratic strengths: competitive elections where voters choose candidates based on ideas rather than party loyalty.
“It’s interfering with one of the most fabled ways that we have moved ahead of other countries by really having a democratic process, where people vote their conscience and not their party,” Paterson said.
His concerns extend beyond electoral maps. Paterson warned that the escalating back-and-forth between red and blue states is contributing to a broader political divide, with Americans increasingly viewing one another through a partisan lens.
“We’re moving toward a society that is going to be Balkanized,” he said. “We’re not going to really understand each other. We’re not going to work with each other.”
Paterson said continued political warfare could further weaken public institutions, deepen distrust, and make compromise even harder to achieve. If the trend continues, he warned, the consequences could be severe.
“If we’re unlucky and this continues for too much longer,” Paterson said, “we’re going to be in a dire, dire situation.”
