New Congressional Maps Could Change Shape Of LI Representation

NEW YORK STATE — New York's Legislature released proposed Congressional maps over the weekend that would shake up Long Island's representation in the House and drastically change the shape of local districts.

After the state's Independent Redistricting Commission failed to reach a consensus on new maps, it fell to the state Legislature to draw the new lines. If approved, the new maps would be in effect for the 2022 elections.

Under the proposed maps, Long Island would still have four Congressional districts. Many of them would have very different shapes. The 1st CD would represent less of Suffolk County and also include a small piece of Nassau, while the 2nd CD would now go further into Suffolk.

The biggest change is to the 3rd CD, which would include Suffolk, Nassau, Queens, the Bronx and Westchester under the proposed maps.

The 4th CD would remain largely unchanged.

Some analyses show that the new maps could also make Long Island more Democratic. While the 2nd CD would likely remain Republican, the 1st CD, which is currently represented by Republican Lee Zeldin, would become more Democratic. It could change Long Island's Congressional delegation to three Democrats to one Republican, as opposed to the even split it currently has.

Statewide, New York is losing one congressional district, going from 27 to 26. The district is being lost from the Western Tier.