The seven-member Court of Appeals, the highest court in New York State, today upheld a Republican Party plan to add one seat to the state Senate, upping the body to 63 members.
The Court ruled that Senate Democrats did not satisfy the "heavy burden of establishing the unconstitutionality" of the GOP plan.
The move is seen by many as a move by Republicans to maintain a majority in the state Senate.
The new district will be established in the Capital region of eastern New York and will not result in the loss of a Senate district in the decreasing population area of Western New York.
Disappointed Senate Democrats say they will try to overturn the ruling with action in federal court.