Democrats in the New York State Legislature introduced a proposed constitutional amendment Monday that would remove longstanding restrictions on mid-decade congressional redistricting, opening the door for lawmakers to approve new district maps before the 2028 election cycle.

The proposal would eliminate barriers that currently limit the Legislature’s ability to revise congressional boundaries between federal censuses. Under the plan, lawmakers could pass new maps with a simple majority vote in 2028 while keeping the state’s Independent Redistricting Commission in place and creating new procedures for future mapmaking.

Democratic leaders are attempting to pass the amendment before the current legislative session ends this week. Because it changes the state constitution, the measure must win approval from two separately elected Legislatures before going to voters in a statewide referendum. If the timeline holds, New Yorkers could vote on the change as early as 2027.

Supporters, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, argue the change is needed to counter Republican-led redistricting efforts in other states. Stewart-Cousins said New York should not be constrained while other states aggressively reshape their congressional maps.

Republicans sharply criticized the move, calling it a partisan effort to increase Democratic control over New York’s congressional delegation. They argue the proposal undermines the reforms voters approved in 2014, when New Yorkers passed a ballot measure creating the Independent Redistricting Commission to reduce partisan gerrymandering.

The push comes amid intense national battles over congressional maps. Both parties have turned to courts, legislatures, and constitutional tweaks in states like Alabama, Louisiana, and Texas to gain advantages as control of the narrowly divided U.S. House remains fiercely contested.

If approved by lawmakers and voters, the amendment could significantly reshape New York’s congressional districts and play a major role in the fight for House control heading into 2028.