Assemblyman warns of partisan court-rigging as legislative session nears end
Albany, NY – With just days left in the 2025 legislative session, Assemblyman Doug Smith (R-Holbrook) is raising the alarm over a controversial bill he says would give Democrats sweeping influence over New York’s courts—and by extension, its elections.
Smith is blasting Senate Bill S8418, introduced by Senator Michael Gianaris (D-Queens), as a “brazen act of judicial gerrymandering” that threatens the independence of the judiciary and undermines voter trust. The legislation would redraw judicial districts in Western New York, creating a new configuration that, Smith argues, would all but guarantee Democratic control over election-related court decisions.
“This is a shameless, cynical ploy to hijack New York’s judiciary,” Smith said. “Albany Democrats are rigging the system to control election outcomes.”
🚨🚨🚨 SMITH SOUNDS ALARM OVER NEW YORK DEMOCRATS' "JUDICIAL GERRYMANDERING" & DEMANDS FEDERAL RESPONSE
— Assemblyman Doug Smith 🇺🇸 (@DougSmithNY) June 12, 2025
Albany, NY – Assemblyman Doug Smith (R-Holbrook) today blasted Albany Democrats for their brazen attempt to manipulate New York’s courts through Senate Bill S8418, a blatant…
Court Redistricting Plan Sparks Accusations of Partisan Engineering
At the heart of the controversy is the bill’s restructuring of the Fourth Judicial Department. The proposal isolates Erie County—home to the heavily Democratic city of Buffalo—as its own judicial district, while carving out more Republican-leaning rural counties like Allegany, Cattaraugus, and Chautauqua into a separate, newly-created Fifteenth Judicial District.
Critics say this move will allow Erie County’s predominantly Democratic electorate to single-handedly choose all 18 Supreme Court Justices for the Eighth Judicial District. Compounding concerns is a 2023 law that mandates all Election Law constitutional challenges in the region be filed in Erie County—effectively ensuring that any case involving voting, redistricting, or election disputes is heard by judges elected in a deep-blue county.
“This isn’t about fairness—it’s about consolidating power,” Smith said. “They’ve designed a system to guarantee favorable rulings on any future election law challenge.”
Supporters of the bill have defended it on the grounds of improving diversity on the bench, but Smith dismisses that as a “flimsy cover story.” He notes that the legislation contains no actual provisions to ensure diversity, calling the justification “politically convenient and legally hollow.”
Federal Action Urged as Bill Advances
In an unusual step for a state legislator, Smith is calling on national leaders—including President Donald Trump, Congress, the Department of Justice, and federal courts—to take action.
“This is not just a state issue—this is a national threat to election integrity,” Smith said. “New Yorkers deserve courts that are impartial and free from political manipulation. I urge federal authorities to act swiftly to protect our democracy.”
Smith is also urging the public to speak out before the legislative session ends. “The people of New York need to know what’s happening behind closed doors in Albany. Call your representatives. Demand accountability. Our judicial system depends on it.”
What Comes Next?
The bill is currently under consideration as lawmakers race to finish legislative business before the session closes. If signed into law, it could reshape the judicial landscape in New York for years to come—potentially impacting how election laws are interpreted and enforced across the state.
