 States that have undergone mid-decade redistricting prior to the 2026 elections. Stripes indicate states where redistricting is anticipated but not finalized. Voluntary redistricting enacted Court-ordered/mandatory redistricting Redistricting challenge rejected [citation needed] Voluntary redistricting rejected | |
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| Cause | Benefiting political parties in the2026 United States House of Representatives elections, constitutionally or court-mandated redistricting |
Beginning in July 2025, severalU.S. states have redrawn or are in the process of redrawing theircongressional districts ahead of the2026 United States House of Representatives elections. These efforts mark one of the largest coordinated attempts to redraw congressional districts between decennial censuses in modern American history.
The redistricting began whenTexasgerrymandered its congressional map to benefitRepublicans at the behest of PresidentDonald Trump. Republican-led statesMissouri andNorth Carolina soon followed by passing new congressional maps with the aim of gaining more Republican seats.
In response,Democratic-led states began the process of gerrymandering their own congressional maps to counter Republican gains.California was the first, passingan amendment to redraw the state's congressional map to benefit Democrats.Virginia andMaryland followed and announced the process to redraw their districts as well.
Additionally,Ohio was required to redraw its districts since the previous map did not receive bipartisan support in the state legislature as required by theOhio Constitution. Likewise,Utah was required to redraw due to theUtah Supreme Court striking down the current map as an unlawful partisan gerrymander.
Since the beginning ofDonald Trump'ssecond presidency, Trump had wanted to protect the narrow Republican US House majority in the 2026 midterm elections to prevent Democratic gains in the House, which would hamper his administration's ability to carry out its plans.[1] Planning among Trump's advisors began even prior to hisinauguration, spearheaded byJames Blair in contact with Adam Kincaid, the executive director of theNational Republican Redistricting Trust. Blair presented the idea to Trump in April, and he quickly agreed to it.[2]
TheNational Democratic Redistricting Committee had also begun preparing for the possibility of Republicans redrawing maps mid-decade after Trump's victory in November 2024, harkening back to the aggressive gerrymandering Republicans performed underREDMAP after the2010 elections.[3] In June,The New York Times reported that the Trump administration had called on the Republican leadership in the state of Texas to redistrict the state's legislative boundaries in order to draw more Republican leaning districts.[4] The plan elicited concern from some Texas Republicans, who argued that it could hurt incumbent Republicans.[5]
As the plan began to take action, reporters asked Trump how many Republican-led states would be redistricted; Trump replied with "four of them".[6]
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On July 9, 2025, Texan GovernorGreg Abbott called for a special session of the Texas Legislature to discuss redistricting.[7]
The action was expressed as an action after a letter from theUnited States Department of Justice citing a need to remedy supposedly racially discriminatory districts in the current congressional map.[8] The action received backlash from Democrat leaders includingKen Martin and began talks to discuss a response to the proposed redistricting, including the possibility of Democratic state representatives walking out of the session to delay the process.[9]
The first special session began on July 21. A new map was redrawn in the session as state Democrats vowed to prolong the redistricting effort and walked out of session preventing quorum from being reached in the state house.[10] On August 18, the special session had expired, and state Democrats returned to the state after viewing the prevention of a new map in the first session and the national coverage of the incidents a "victory".[11]
A second special session was called on August 18 by Abbott. A proposed congressional map drawing 5 new Republican-leaning districts passed both the state house and senate and was signed on August 29, 2025.[12]
On November 18, 2025, a federal court inEl Paso, Texas ruled that the maps consisted an illegal racial gerrymander, and as a result, barred their use in the 2026 midterm elections.[13][14] On November 21, theU.S. Supreme Court approved a request filed by Texas to temporarily block the lower court ruling.[15]
On December 4, the Supreme Courtstayed the District Court ruling in a 6–3 decision that allows Texas to use the map in 2026, concluding that the District Court had "failed to honor thepresumption of legislativegood faith by construing ambiguous direct and circumstantial evidence against the legislature" infinding that the map was racially gerrymandered, and had "improperly inserted itself into an active primary campaign" because it issued its ruling after thecandidate filing period had begun.[16][17] Thedissenting opinion, written byElena Kagan and joined bySonia Sotomayor andKetanji Brown Jackson, argued that the majority was not following the appropriatestandard of review for questions of fact, stating, "We are a higher court than the District Court, but we are not a better one when it comes to making such a fact-based decision."[18]
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Multiple Democratic leaders, includingHakeem Jeffries, began to push California GovernorGavin Newsom to respond to redistricting in Texas by redrawing California's congressional districts; however, the state's use of an Independent Redistricting Commission was the primary obstacle to achieving the goal.[19] To bypass the commission, the state house and state senate passed an amendment putting a referendum on the November ballot to redraw the state's districts. The new congressional map made 5 Republican districts and several competitive districts much more Democratic to offset the gains made by the Texan map.[20]
The measure was approved by voters, enacting the proposed redistricting plan.[21] Following the vote, theCalifornia Republican Party filed a federal lawsuit against Governor Gavin Newsom andSecretary of StateShirley Weber, alleging that the new maps violate theVoting Rights Act by favoring Latino voters and asked a federal court to issue a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction to prevent Proposition 50’s maps from going into effect.[22] TheU.S. Justice Department has joined the California Republican Party's lawsuit.[23] In January 2026, a three-judge panel of theUnited States District Court for the Central District of California upheld the use of the map by the state, rejecting the California Republican Party's claims that the map was racially gerrymandered.[24][25]
On February 4, the U.S. Supreme Court denied an application for an appeal of the Central California U.S. District Court panel ruling by the California Republican Party.[26][27] The order was issued without comment or dissent, with legal commentators noting Court's reasoning in its ruling the previous December on the2025 Texas redistricting after concluding that it was a partisan rather than racial gerrymander and allowed the map in Texas to stand.[28]
On August 29, 2025, GovernorMike Kehoe announced a special session to redraw the state's congressional districts and placeKansas City DemocratEmanuel Cleaver in a much more Republican-leaning district.[29] TheMissouri House of Representatives voted to advance the new map that would give Republicans another seat, which was approved in theMissouri Senate, where it also advanced. The new map was signed into law by Kehoe on September 28.[30]
The new map faces lawsuits and acitizens' initiative ballot measure that will suspend the map unless it is approved by voters.
In October, North Carolina Republicans led in the state legislature.Destin Hall andPhil Berger introduced a plan to redraw North Carolina's congressional map to makeDon Davis's seat more favorable to Republicans in the hopes of increasing the party's chances of picking up the seat. The measure passed both theState House andState Senate and became law, as it did not require Democratic governorJosh Stein's signature.[31] On November 26, a panel of three federal judges issued a ruling allowing the use of the map.[32]
In July 2023, inLeague of Women Voters v. Utah State Legislature, theUtah Supreme Court heard arguments alleging that the Utah Legislature violateda citizen-passed anti-gerrymandering proposition by dividing Salt Lake County voters into all four of Utah's districts. The case was sent back to a state district court, which held a hearing on January 31, 2025. A ruling for the League of Women Voters was issued on August 25. New maps were expected to be drawn up by the Legislature by September 24 and finalized by November.[citation needed]
On October 6, the Utah Legislature passed a new map, which changed two Republican districts to be more competitive. On November 10, Utah Third District Judge Dianna Gibson ruled that the new map also violated Proposition 4, opting to approve a plaintiff-submitted alternative, Map 1, which creates a safe Democratic district comprising a majority ofSalt Lake County.[citation needed] In response,Spencer Cox expanded theUtah Supreme Court to try and not give Democrats this extra seat.[33]
In October 2025, Indiana GovernorMike Braun called for a special legislative session to begin November 3 to redraw the state's congressional maps.[34] This came after weeks of communication with the Trump administration, including visits by Vice PresidentJD Vance, over the possibility of strengthening the partisan advantage in the state.[35] This push was met with resistance from legislative Republicans, particularly in theIndiana Senate.[36]
On November 14, Indiana Senate leaderRodric Bray announced there were not enough Republican votes to move forward with the redistricting process.[37] On November 18, the Senate voted to adjourn until the next regular session in January 2026.[38][39] On December 5, theIndiana House passed a map that would turn the state's1st and7th congressional districts, both held by Democrats, into solidly Republican ones.[40]
On December 8, the Senate convened after reversing its earlier decision to adjourn, and the new maps passed out of committee.[41][42] On December 11, the proposal was rejected in theState Senate after opposition from 21 Republicans and all 10 Democrats, ending the redistricting effort in Indiana.[43]
President Donald Trump threatened to support the primary opponents of any Republican who did not support the redistricting effort.[44] Numerous people have beenswatted.[45]
In late October, Democratic leaders in Virginia announced a process to redraw their state's congressional maps before the 2026 midterms in retaliation for the new map passed in North Carolina. Virginia, similarly to California, has a commission to redraw its congressional districts, and Virginia state leaders had proposed a constitutional amendment to bypass the commission and approve a new congressional map, likely gaining Democrats three or four seats.[46]
In Virginia, constitutional amendments have to be approved by the legislature in two consecutive legislative sessions, with a general election in between them, prior to being sent to the public for final passage. On October 29, theVirginia House of Delegates passed the amendment on a party line vote. The stateSenate followed suit on October 31.[47]
Democrats greatly expanded their majority in the House of Delegates in the2025 election, thus easing the passage of the amendment.[48] On January 16, 2026, the Senate passed the constitutional amendment a second time, following the House of Delegates which had done so earlier in the week.[49] Legislators planned to release a new map to the public by the end of January, and to call a special election to vote on the measure by April 16.[50]
On January 27, aVirginia Circuit Court judge forTazewell County ruled that the amendment was unlawful because:
Virginia Democratic leaders condemned the decision and announced an intention to appeal the ruling. Later that day, theVirginia Senate passed a bill that would repeal the provision requiring for the publication of the amendment three months before the election and redirect the appeal process from theCourt of Appeals of Virginia to the Circuit Court of the City of Richmond, which is expected to rule in favor of the Democratic efforts.[53]
In Maryland, GovernorWes Moore and now former House SpeakerAdrienne A. Jones have expressed openness to examining potential changes, particularly regarding the state's sole Republican-held seat, including the possibility of calling a special legislative session on the issue. State Senate PresidentBill Ferguson reiterated his opposition in an October 2025 letter to colleagues, arguing that mid-decade redistricting could undermine the state’s legal standing and public trust.[54]
On November 4, 2025, Maryland GovernorWes Moore formed of the Governor's Redistricting Advisory Commission, tasked with holding public hearings and providing recommendations for a new congressional map. The creation of the commission signaled an effort by state Democrats to consider redrawing Maryland’s congressional boundaries ahead of the2026 United States House of Representatives elections, potentially to offset Republican gains in other states. The five-member commission, chaired by U.S. SenatorAngela Alsobrooks, also includes two gubernatorial appointees and two legislative leaders or their designees.[55][56] On December 18, 2025, the commission voted to recommend that the state move forward with considering new congressional boundary maps,[57] and on January 20, 2026, the commission voted to recommend a congressional map that would redraw the 1st congressional district to make it more favorable for Democrats.[58] The map passed theMaryland House of Delegates by a 99–37 vote on February 2, 2026,[59] after which Senate President Bill Ferguson indicated that he was unlikely to hold a vote for the redistricting bill in the Senate.[60]
In August 2025, GovernorRon DeSantis expressed support for redrawing the state's congressional maps.[61] Following this,Ben Albritton, president of theFlorida Senate, announced a redistricting commission to begin the process. In December 2025, a congressional redistrictingselect committee of theFlorida House of Representatives held its first meeting.[62]
On January 7, 2026, DeSantis officially issued a proclamation calling for a special legislative session regarding congressional redistricting. The session is scheduled to convene from April 20-24, 2026, following the conclusion of the regular legislative session. In the proclamation, DeSantis cited the need to comply with anupcomingU.S. Supreme Court ruling and stated that the legislature would appropriate additional funds to defend the new maps against legal challenges.[63]
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GovernorKathy Hochul had previously pledged to involve New York in the national redistricting conflict to counter Republican gains elsewhere.[64] In January 2026, a judge struck down the boundaries ofNew York City's sole Republican-held district, ruling that the lines diluted the votes of minorities.[65] The ruling provides an opening for the state legislature to redraw the state's congressional map, a move that could potentially net the Democratic Party four to five additional seats.[64]
In Kansas, Republican leaders in the state legislature approved the budget for a special session on redistricting. The process was stalled as Republican lawmakers did not have enough votes to begin the process.[66] Legislative leadership has stated that a new map will be passed during regular session in January 2026. However, as of January 6, the Republicans were about "20 votes short" in theKansas House of Representatives, due toLaura Kelly’s veto power.[67]
Meanwhile, Democratic House minority leaderHakeem Jeffries has been urging the states ofIllinois and Maryland to pursue new congressional maps as part of a broader Democratic strategy to counter Republican redistricting gains.[68] In Illinois, state legislative leaders have been skeptical of redrawing their congressional lines, arguing it isn't possible, although Jeffries has continued to lobby for action.[69] GovernorJB Pritzker emphasized that any decision on whether Illinois should redraw its congressional map would depend on Indiana’s actions, noting that the state was “watching what Indiana does” before considering any response.[70]
InColorado, a constitutional amendment has been proposed which would give the governor (currently DemocratJared Polis) "emergency redistricting authority" ahead of the2028 elections. The proposed law would be triggered if "substantial evidence exists that one or more states have enacted congressional redistricting plans that result in severe partisan imbalance."[71]
InSouth Carolina, members of the state legislature have advocated to redraw the state's congressional districts to disfavorJim Clyburn, the state's sole Democratic representative. However,Davey Hiott, the Majority Leader of theSouth Carolina House of Representatives, has said the state will not redistrict.[72]
InWashington, House Majority LeaderJoe Fitzgibbon and RepresentativeSharlett Mena introduced a joint resolution that would amend theconstitution of Washington. The amendment would permit theWashington State Legislature to redraw the state's congressional lines if another state redrew their map mid-decade outside of a judicial order.The Olympian reported that theWashington Democratic Party does not have the prerequisite two-thirds majority in both chambers and would require votes fromRepublicans to pass the resolution, making it unlikely to pass before the 2026 elections.[73]
There has also been pressure onNew Hampshire to redistrict to give Republicans an extra seat. However, governorKelly Ayotte said she will not pursue redistricting.[74]
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