States Redraw Congressional Maps Ahead of Midterms

Several U.S. states have undertaken mid-decade redistricting efforts to alter congressional delegations ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, following President Trump's encouragement for Republican-led states to create more GOP-friendly districts. According to multiple reports, this rare push for redistricting comes as Republicans seek to maintain or expand their razor-thin majority in Congress.

Texas was among the first states to kick off the gerrymandering push when Gov. Greg Abbott signed legislation in August 2025 to redraw districts and create five GOP-friendly seats. In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom launched an effort to redraw his state's map to help Democrats, which was approved by voters in November with a 29-point margin.

Missouri and North Carolina also made changes to their congressional districts. Missouri lawmakers redrew their map in September 2025 to squeeze Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver from his Kansas City district. In October, North Carolina state Republicans redrew the 1st Congressional District, held by a Democrat, to make it more favorable to conservatives.

Utah's redistricting effort was initiated after a judge ruled that the current districts violated restrictions on gerrymandering. The GOP-controlled legislature proposed a map that would create a Democratic-leaning district in Salt Lake City. Meanwhile, Indiana state lawmakers initially resisted pressure from Mr. Trump to redraw their map but later reversed course, only to have the bill fail in the state Senate despite Republicans' advantage.

Maryland's effort to redraw its congressional map failed due to internal party disagreements. Gov. Wes Moore put his clout behind the attempt to boost Democratic chances in the midterm elections, but the Maryland Senate left the bill in a committee, concerned it could backfire under judicial review. This setback highlights the challenges and controversies surrounding mid-decade redistricting.