Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Congressional and state senate primary to be held August 23rd, judge rules
By
Elizabeth Kim
Published Apr 29, 2022
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Vaughn Golden / WSKG, pool
By
Elizabeth Kim
Published Apr 29, 2022
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
A Steuben County Supreme Court judge on Friday declared that New York’s congressional and state Senate primary would be pushed to August 23rd, following a Court of Appeals decision on Wednesday that ruled the new district maps drawn by Democrats had been designed with partisan intent.
The order by Acting Supreme Court Judge Patrick McAllister will now give the court-appointed “special master” until May 20th to redraft the maps. The ruling gives time for candidates seeking public office to collect the required signatures to get on the ballot.
Read More: Candidates, election officials left in limbo after NY redistricting ruling
Friday’s order represented the latest development in what has become a political nightmare for Democrats in the state’s decennial redistricting process to determine boundaries of new legislative districts. Democrats control both chambers of the state Legislature. So when a bipartisan redistricting commission failed to produce consensus maps, lawmakers used their majority to try to push through congressional lines that could have resulted in the flipping of at least three House seats — and potentially help Democrats nationally who are facing a bruising battle in the midterm elections.
Their plan backfired. Republicans accused Democrats of gerrymandering and sued to have the maps invalidated in court. Democratic leaders insisted that the prior maps drawn by the GOP were in fact gerrymandered and they were merely seeking to redress those partisan lines.
Under the previous court decision, the races for governor, lieutenant governor, state Assembly and local primaries could still be held on June 28th, the original primary date. On Friday, McAllister said it will be up to the state Legislature to decide whether to consolidate all of the elections into one primary on August 23rd. The deadline for overseas and military ballots to be mailed will be July 8th.
Candidates who have already petitioned to get on the ballot based on the voided maps will now have to wait to see how the lines get redrawn.
McAllister has appointed Jonathan Cervas, a postdoctoral fellow at Carnegie Mellon University, to be the “special master” who will draw the new maps.
Tagged
court of appeals
redistricting
Democrats
Elizabeth Kim
Elizabeth Kim is a reporter on the People and Power desk who covers mayoral power. She previously covered the pandemic, housing, redevelopment and public spaces. A native of Queens, she speaks fluent Mandarin. Got a tip? Email [email protected]
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NYC Council to consider earlier Legionella reporting after deadly outbreaks
A bill facing a hearing Monday would require cooling tower owners to notify city health officials when bacteria levels reach a much lower threshold.
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Oct 18, 2026 at 7:36 p.m. ET
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
News
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
By
Gino Fanelli
NYPD identifies Bronx man, 26, killed in Midtown subway shooting
By
Ryan Kost
,
Elizabeth Kim
and
Phil Corso
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
By
Ryan Kost
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .