New Jersey Democrats Signal Openness to Redistricting Amid National Map Battles
New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill and Senate President Nick Scutari have both said they are open to redrawing the state's congressional map in response to Republican-led redistricting efforts in other states, following a U.S. Supreme Court decision striking down Louisiana's congressional map. The reports differ slightly in emphasis: Sherrill's comments focus on the legal constraints and the Supreme Court ruling's implications, while Scutari's remarks, made at a Democratic primary debate, frame the issue in terms of political timing and New Jersey not sitting on the sidelines.
New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill and state Senate President Nick Scutari have each said they are open to New Jersey redrawing its congressional district map in response to Republican-controlled states redrawing their own maps. Sherrill made her comments to CNN around May 1-2, 2026, saying she would push legislative leaders to act if GOP states redrew districts to their advantage; Scutari expressed similar openness on May 13 during a Democratic gubernatorial primary debate, saying it was 'time for New Jersey to not be on the sidelines.' Both officials' statements followed a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down Louisiana's congressional map. New Jersey's current congressional map has been in effect since 2022, drawn by a bipartisan commission that established nine Democratic-leaning districts and three Republican-leaning districts. Sherrill acknowledged 'constitutional limitations' that would prevent New Jersey from changing its map in the current cycle. Scutari echoed this timeline, stating that any redistricting changes New Jersey might pursue would apply to the 2028 elections rather than the 2026 midterms. As of the most recent reporting, no formal redistricting proposal or legislative action has been announced in New Jersey; both officials' comments represent stated openness to the idea rather than confirmed plans. It remains unresolved what specific legal or procedural mechanism would allow New Jersey to alter its map, given the bipartisan commission process used to create the existing districts, and what constitutional limitations Sherrill referenced would entail in practice.
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How the coverage differs
Senate President says New Jersey redistricting is on the table as red states redraw maps
Senate President Nick Scutari said he is open to New Jersey responding in kind to red states redrawing congressional maps, though any changes would apply to the 2028 elections rather than 2026. At a Democratic primary debate, Scutari said it's 'time for New Jersey to not be on the sidelines' in the nationwide redistricting fight, aligning with Gov. Sherrill's stance.
Read original report ↗New Jersey governor is down to join redistricting wars, following Supreme Court gutting of Voting Rights Act
New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill told CNN 'we'll take the measures we have to take' when asked if the state should redistrict in response to red states' plans to eliminate minority districts after the SCOTUS ruling. She acknowledged there were 'some constitutional limitations' that would prevent New Jersey from implementing changes this year.
Read original report ↗Gov. Sherrill eyes redistricting in NJ after controversial voting rights decision
Gov. Mikie Sherrill said she's open to redistricting New Jersey's congressional map and would prod legislative leaders to act if GOP states redraw districts to benefit Republicans, following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision striking down Louisiana's congressional maps as unconstitutional. New Jersey's current congressional map, in effect since 2022, was created by a bipartisan committee that drew nine districts for Democrats and three for Republicans.
Read original report ↗