Mid-Decade Redistricting Efforts Intensify as Trump Calls for Changes

Tue Oct 28 2025 22:27:22 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Amid Donald Trump's push for redistricting, Republican and Democratic states are reshaping congressional maps in a bid for control ahead of the upcoming elections. Key states like Texas and California are at the forefront of these changes, raising concerns over fairness in representation.

Following Donald Trump's call for redistricting in preparation for the upcoming elections, both Republican and Democratic states are actively reshaping congressional districts. Texas, California, Missouri, and North Carolina are among states that have passed or are considering new maps to influence party control. The implications of these changes could affect the balance of power in Congress as Democrats target a few strategic seats to gain control.

President Donald Trump’s call for Republicans to redraw U.S. House districts ahead of next year’s election has triggered an unusual outbreak of mid-decade gerrymandering among both Republican- and Democratic-led state legislatures.

Democrats need to gain just three seats to wrest control of the House away from Republicans, and Trump hopes redistricting can help stave off historical trends where the president’s party typically loses seats in midterm elections.

Current State Actions:

States that passed new US House maps

Texas — The first state to take up congressional redistricting at Trump’s prodding. Republican Governor Greg Abbott signed a new U.S. House map into law on Aug. 29, which is expected to help Republicans win five additional seats. Currently, Republicans hold 25 of the 38 seats. The new map, however, faces a legal challenge.

California — The first Democratic-led state to counter Trump’s redistricting push, the new U.S. House map passed by the state Legislature circumvents districts adopted by an independent citizens commission after the 2020 census, potentially enabling Democrats to win five more seats. This plan requires voter approval in a Nov. 4 election.

Missouri — Another Republican-led state, where Governor Mike Kehoe signed a new map on Sept. 28 that could aid Republicans in winning an additional seat by reshaping a Democratic-held district in Kansas City. This decision is also being challenged legally.

North Carolina — Recently, the Republican-led General Assembly approved district changes that could assist in winning an additional seat by modifying a Democratic-held district. Similar to others, this revised map is also facing legal hurdles.

Ongoing Developments

Utah has also approved revised House districts amid legal challenges to the previous map. Republican-led legislatures in Indiana and Virginia are gearing up for redistricting sessions as well, while others like Florida and Illinois are in discussions about potential changes.

The ongoing reshaping of district lines raises significant questions regarding fairness and representation within the congressional process. As the political landscape evolves, states across the country are navigating the complexities of gerrymandering and its impacts in pursuit of congressional control.