# Brooklyn Democratic Party leadership dispute > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/brooklyn-democratic-party-leadership-dispute > Updated: 2026-09-14T20:33:04.000Z. Sources: 3. Developments: 2. In August 2026, Brooklyn Democratic Party chair Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn successfully passed controversial changes to the Kings County Democratic County Committee bylaws. The changes aimed to expand the executive committee by adding dozens of new seats. While Bichotte Hermelyn stated the proposal would increase inclusivity and transparency, critics from the New Kings Democrats coalition argued the move was a tactic to maintain control and subvert reform-aligned district leaders, calling the vote a “miscarriage of the will of the voters”. In September 2026, a New York State Supreme Court judge struck down these rule changes. Judge Jill Epstein ruled that the outgoing executive committee members had “no authority” to vote on the amendments, declaring the changes a “nullity” and issuing a permanent injunction. The ruling prevents the expansion of the committee ahead of a scheduled meeting to select new executive members, a process that influences the selection of State Supreme Court judges. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-14: Brooklyn Democratic Party rule changes struck down by judge A New York judge blocked controversial rule changes in the Brooklyn Democratic Party that would have expanded the executive committee and helped Chair Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn maintain control. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brooklyn-democratic-party-rule-changes-struck-down-by-judge ### 2026-08-25: Brooklyn Democratic Chair passes controversial party rule changes Brooklyn Democratic Chair Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn passed controversial bylaw changes to expand the party's executive committee, a move reformers claim is designed to maintain her leadership. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brooklyn-democratic-chair-passes-controversial-party-rule-changes --- Cite as: Brooklyn Democratic Party leadership dispute. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/brooklyn-democratic-party-leadership-dispute