High Court Sides With Malliotakis in Redistricting Fight

Supreme Court Halts Redistricting Order in New York

The U.S. Supreme Court has sided with Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., in a congressional redistricting dispute, halting a state court order that would have required changes to New York’s 11th Congressional District.

The conservative majority, over the dissent of the court’s three liberal justices, blocked a lower court ruling that directed New York’s Independent Redistricting Commission to redraw the district, which includes Staten Island and a portion of Brooklyn.

A state judge had previously ruled that the district lines diluted the voting power of Black and Hispanic residents and ordered that changes be made.

Malliotakis Calls Challenge ‘Meritless’

In a statement, Malliotakis said the decision “helps restore the public’s confidence in our judicial system” and described the challenge to the district lines as unconstitutional.

She argued that the plaintiffs attempted to use race to “rig our elections” and said the Supreme Court’s ruling affirmed that position. Malliotakis also criticized what she called the politicization of New York’s courts.

The lawsuit was filed in October 2025 by New York voters challenging the district’s configuration. Malliotakis intervened to defend the existing map.

Dispute Over Proposed Map Changes

A law firm affiliated with Democrats had argued that the district should remove its small section of Brooklyn and instead include part of Lower Manhattan — a change that would have altered the district’s political composition.

While the state judge declined to impose that specific proposal, he ruled adjustments were necessary to address demographic changes and left the task to the state’s bipartisan redistricting commission.

The Supreme Court did not provide a detailed explanation for its decision. However, Justice Samuel Alito reportedly wrote that the lower court’s ruling amounted to racial discrimination under the U.S. Constitution.

The decision keeps New York’s 11th Congressional District intact — at least for now.