Oral arguments in the case challenging the newly drawn maps for congressional districts in New York will be held on Tuesday in New York's highest court in a legal challenge that could play a significant role in determining power in Washington next year. 

The state Court of Appeals will hear the case, Harkenrider v. Hochul, that has wound its way through the state court system. 

Republican challengers have alleged Democratic state lawmakers drew congressional districts with partisan intent in violation of the state's constitutional ban on the practice known as gerrymandering. Democrats have asserted the lines were drawn fairly, and simply reflect a Democratic dominated state. 

New York voters in 2014 approved a constitutional amendment meant to remove the process from the state Legislature. But after a commission appointed by New York officials failed to reach an agreement on new maps, the process was thrown back to the state Legislature. 

Democrats, who hold a supermajorities in the state Senate and Assembly, approved their own maps that independent experts have alleged favor the party over Republicans. An appeallate court on Thursday partially upheld a lower court ruling that found the maps were unconstitutional. 

Maps drawn for the state Senate and Assembly, however, were upheld. 

The stakes are high for both parties given the narrow control of the House of Representatives by Democrats, and New York's recent history of battleground House races in the last decade.