Partisan Redistricting Efforts Expand Across Multiple U.S. States

Sun Oct 19 2025 23:32:26 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

As the 2026 midterm elections approach, states across the U.S. are engaging in redistricting practices that many view as aimed at gaining partisan advantage. Lawmakers in several states are redrawing congressional maps in response to political pressures.

Following President Trump's push for mid-cycle redistricting, several U.S. states including Texas, Missouri, and California have either enacted new congressional maps or are considering changes to benefit their political parties. With Democrats needing to gain seats to control the House, the implications of these districts hold significant political weight ahead of the upcoming elections.

Efforts to redraw U.S. House districts for partisan advantage are spreading to more states ahead of next year's elections.

Lawmakers in three states have approved new congressional districts since President Donald Trump began pushing for mid-decade redistricting.

The trend began in Texas, where the Republican-led Legislature passed a plan backed by Trump. California Democrats responded with their own map to help their party, though it still requires voter approval. On Sunday, Republican Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe signed a revised congressional map into law.

Redistricting typically occurs once a decade, immediately after a census. But in some states, there is no prohibition on a mid-cycle map makeover. The U.S. Supreme Court also has said there is no federal prohibition on political gerrymandering, in which districts are intentionally drawn to one party’s advantage.

Nationally, Democrats need to gain three seats next year to take control of the House. The party of the president typically loses seats in the midterm congressional elections.

Missouri plan seeks to help Republicans win one more seat

Missouri lawmakers passed a revised U.S. House map that could give Republicans a better shot at winning seven of the state’s eight congressional districts — one more than they currently hold. But opponents are pursuing a referendum petition that, if successful, would force a statewide vote on the new map. Opponents also have filed several lawsuits.

The map targets a seat held by Democratic U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver by stretching the Kansas City-based district into rural Republican-leaning areas and reducing the number of minority voters.

Texas Democrats walked out but Republicans prevailed

Democratic state House members left Texas for two weeks to scuttle a special session on redistricting by preventing a quorum needed to do business. But after that session ended, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott quickly called another one — and Democrats returned, satisfied that they had made their point and that California was proceeding with a counter plan.

Republicans hold 25 of the 38 congressional seats in Texas. A revised map adopted in August is intended to give Republicans a shot at picking up five additional seats in next year’s elections.

California Democrats seek to counter Texas

Democrats already hold 43 of the 52 congressional seats in California. The Legislature passed a revised map in August aimed at giving Democrats a chance to gain five additional seats in the 2026 elections.

Unlike Texas, California has an independent citizens’ commission that handles redistricting, so any changes to the map need voter approval.

Indiana governor says redistricting session is probable

Republican Gov. Mike Braun has said that a legislative session on redistricting probably will happen, and it could come as soon as November.

Republicans hold a 7-2 edge over Democrats in Indiana’s congressional delegation. The GOP likely would target a northwest Indiana seat held by Democratic Rep. Frank Mrvan.

Kansas Republicans working out details on redistricting

Republican state Senate President Ty Masterson has said lawmakers are 'working out the details' for a special session on redistricting that could occur in November.

Republicans already hold three of the state’s four congressional districts.