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Redistricting ahead of the 2026 elections

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Redistricting

State legislative and congressional redistricting after the 2020 census

General information
State-by-state redistricting proceduresMajority-minority districtsGerrymandering
The 2020 cycle
United States census, 2020Congressional apportionmentRedistricting committeesDeadlines2022 House elections with multiple incumbentsNew U.S.House districts created after apportionmentCongressional mapsState legislative mapsLawsuitsStatus of redistricting after the 2020 census
Redrawn maps
Redistricting before 2024 electionsRedistricting before 2026 elections
Ballotpedia's Election Administration Legislation Tracker
2024



Redistricting is the process of enacting new district boundaries for elected offices, particularly for offices in the U.S. House of Representatives and state legislatures.

States redraw district lines every 10 years following the completion of the U.S. census. The federal government requires the districts resulting from this process to have nearly equal populations and not cause racial or ethnic voting discrimination.[1]

On the Ballot Episode 222 - How Many House Seats Could Flip as a Result of Redistricting Efforts Around the Country?

While every state redrew its district lines after the 2020 census, some states are revisiting redistricting ahead of the 2026 elections.

As of October 2025:
  • Three states—Missouri, North Carolina, and Texas—had passed a new congressional map between the 2024 and 2026 elections.
  • One state—Ohio—was required to redraw its congressional district lines because of state law.
  • Five states—Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Utah—had congressional or state legislative maps that were subject to change due to ongoing litigation.
  • Five states were considering a voluntary redraw of their congressional maps, and three states—California, Florida, and Kansas—had taken official action toward doing so.
  • As of October 2025, Republicans have a 219-213 majority in the U.S. House, with three vacancies. In the 2018 elections, the midterm elections during President Donald Trump's (R) first term, Democrats gained control of the House from Republicans after netting 40 seats.

    The page below contains information about:

    Overview

    As of October 2025, nine states had congressional district maps that were subject to change before the 2026 elections, and three states—Missouri, North Carolina, and Texas—had redrawn their congressional maps. Five states were reportedly exploring voluntary redistricting, three states had congressional maps that were subject to change due to litigation, and one state was required by law to redistrict.

    The map below shows redistricting activity between the 2024 and 2026 elections.

    The table below shows redistricting activity between the 2024 and 2026 elections as well as the pre-redistricting U.S. House delegation in each state.

    Status of congressional redistricting ahead of the 2026 elections
    State Reason for redistricting Status Method of redistricting U.S. House delegation before redistricting
    California Voluntary redistricting Special election set for Nov. 4, 2025 Commission 43 D - 9 R
    Florida Voluntary redistricting Florida House to form Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting Legislature-dominant 20 R - 8 D
    Georgia Subject to change due to litigation Litigation ongoing Legislature-dominant 9 R - 5 D
    Indiana Voluntary redistricting No action Legislature-dominant 7 R - 2 D
    Kansas Voluntary redistricting Approved special session funds; circulating special session petition for signatures Legislature-dominant 3 R - 1 D
    Louisiana Subject to change due to litigation Litigation ongoing Legislature-dominant 4 R - 2 D
    Maryland Voluntary redistricting No action Legislature-dominant 7 D - 1 R
    Missouri Voluntary redistricting Gov. Mike Kehoe (R) signed new map into law on Sept. 28, 2025 Legislature-dominant 6 R - 2 D
    North Carolina Voluntary redistricting Legislature passed new map into law on Oct. 22, 2025 Legislature-dominant 10 R - 4 D
    Ohio Required by law to redistrict Must pass new map by Nov. 20, 2025 Legislature-dominant 10 R -5 D
    Texas Voluntary redistricting Gov. Greg Abbott (R) signed new map into law on Aug. 29, 2025 Legislature-dominant 25 R -12 D with 1 vacancy
    Utah Subject to change due to litigation Must redraw by Nov. 10, 2025 Legislature-dominant 4 R - 0 D

    States that are required by law to redistrict

    This section contains information about states whose maps are required by law to change before the 2026 elections.

    One state—Ohio—has a congressional map that is required by law to change before the 2026 elections.

    States with maps required by state law to change

    The following states have congressional maps that are required by state law to change before the 2026 elections. Expand each state to learn more.

    Expand All
    Ohio

    States whose maps are subject to change due to ongoing litigation

    This section contains information about states whose maps are subject to change due to ongoing litigation. Click a tab below to read about litigation against congressional or state legislative district boundaries.

    As of October 2025, three states—Georgia, Louisiana, and Utah—had congressional maps that were subject to change due to litigation.

    States with maps subject to change due to litigation

    The following states have congressional maps that are subject to change due to litigation. Expand each state to learn more.

    Expand All
    Georgia
    Louisiana
    Utah

    States considering redistricting before the 2026 elections

    This section contains information about states considering voluntary redistricting before the 2026 elections.

    As of October 2025, five states were considering voluntary redistricting ahead of the 2026 U.S. House elections, and three states—Missouri, North Carolina, and Texas—had passed a new congressional map.

    In July 2025, President Donald Trump (R) suggested Texas revisit its congressional map to add additional Republican districts ahead of the 2026 elections.[39] Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) added redistricting to its 30-day special legislative session agenda "in light of constitutional concerns raised by the U.S. Department of Justice."[40][41]

    Other Republican states then also weighed redistricting efforts. A September 2025 special session for redistricting produced a new map in Missouri.[42] The North Carolina legislature enacted a new map in October.[43] Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) suggested the state could revisit its congressional district boundaries.[44] Vice President J.D. Vance (R) met Indiana leaders three times to discuss redistricting.[45] Kansas lawmakers approved funds for a potential redistricting special session and circulated a petition to gather signatures to begin the session on November 7, 2025.[46]

    Several Democratic states considered countering with redistricting of their own, including California, Maryland, and New York, though New York would not be able to change its maps in time for the 2026 election.[41][47] The New York Times' Nick Corasaniti and Laurel Rosenhall wrote, "Though Democratic leaders have indicated a willingness to go tit for tat with Republicans, most of the largest blue states do not have a partisan redistricting process akin to the one in Texas, where the governor can simply call in the Legislature to redraw maps. California has an independent commission in charge of drawing maps, which voters applied to congressional districts in 2010. New York also has a commission (though it is subject to potential legislative changes), and New Jersey’s political commission is separate from the Legislature."[48]

    The map below shows states considering voluntary redistricting ahead of the 2026 elections.

    The states below have taken a voluntary, official action toward congressional redistricting before the 2026 elections.

    Click on a state below to read about its redistricting efforts before the 2026 elections.

    Expand All
    California
    Florida
    Kansas
    Missouri
    North Carolina
    Texas

    New maps enacted before the 2026 elections

    This section contains information about states that redrew their maps before the 2026 elections. As of October 2025, three states had redrawn their congressional maps and two states had redrawn their state legislative maps.

    The following states enacted congressional maps before the 2026 elections:

    Expand All
    Missouri
    North Carolina
    Texas

    See also

    External links

    Footnotes

    1. All About Redistricting, "Why does it matter?" accessed February 15, 2024
    2. Dayton Daily News, "Ohio Redistricting Commission approves new U.S. House map on another party-line vote," March 2, 2022
    3. 13ABC, "Ohio Supreme Court makes final judgement on Congressional map challenges," March 18, 2022
    4. Ohio Capital Journal, "Ohio lawmakers miss first congressional redistricting deadline with no negotiations and no GOP map," October 1, 2025
    5. 5.0 5.1 Georgia General Assembly, "Legislative and Congressional Reapportionment Office - Proposed Plans," accessed December 11, 2023
    6. 6.0 6.1 Twitter, "RedistrictNet," December 7, 2023
    7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Reuters, "US judge orders new congressional map in Georgia, citing harm to Black voters," October 27, 2023 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "Reuters" defined multiple times with different content
    8. Atlanta Journal-Constitution, "Federal judge upholds Georgia’s Republican redistricting plan," December 8, 2023
    9. United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, "Case 1:21-cv-05339-SCJ, Document 334" December 28, 2023
    10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
    11. Democracy Docket, "11th Circuit Considers Fate of Georgia Maps in High-Stakes Redistricting Case," January 21, 2025
    12. Louisiana Illuminator, "U.S. Supreme Court punts Louisiana redistricting case to next term," June 27, 2025
    13. Louisiana Illuminator, "U.S. Supreme Court sets date for Louisiana redistricting case rehearing," August 13, 2025
    14. NBC News, "Supreme Court wrestles with Louisiana racial gerrymandering claim," March 24, 2025
    15. SCOTUSblog, "Supreme Court will hear case on second majority-Black district in Louisiana redistricting," November 4, 2024
    16. The American Redistricting Project, "Louisiana v. Callais," November 4, 2024
    17. 17.0 17.1 SCOTUSblog, "Court allows Louisiana to move forward with two majority-Black districts," May 15, 2024
    18. Roll Call, "Louisiana Legislature passes new congressional map," January 19, 2024
    19. Ballotpedia's Legislation Tracker, "Louisiana SB8," accessed January 25, 2024
    20. NPR, "After a court fight, Louisiana's new congressional map boosts Black political power," January 23, 2024
    21. Deseret News, "Utah Gov. Spencer Cox signs off on controversial congressional map that ‘cracks’ Salt Lake County," November 12, 2021
    22. Deseret News, "Utah redistricting: Congressional map splitting Salt Lake County 4 ways heads to Gov. Spencer Cox," November 10, 2021
    23. New York Times, "Utah’s Gerrymandered House Map Ignored Voters’ Will, State Supreme Court Says," July 11, 2024
    24. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named dispatch
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    26. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named ksl
    27. Politico, "Legislature passes new map in Utah, creating 2 more competitive seats," October 6, 2025
    28. Utah News Dispatch, "Plaintiffs submit 2 congressional maps to judge as Utah lawmakers vote on their own," October 6, 2025
    29. Alabama Reflector, "Federal judge: Alabama Senate map violates Voting Rights Act," August 22, 2025
    30. 30.0 30.1 Montgomery Advertiser, "Gov. Kay Ivey signs off on Alabama congressional, legislative, SBOE maps for 2022," Nov. 4, 2021
    31. Alabama Political Reporter, "Alabama Senate passes Senate, State School Board districts," Nov. 1, 2021
    32. Alabama Political Report, "House district lines comfortably pass House over objections from both sides ," Nov. 1, 2021
    33. Democracy Docket, "11th Circuit Considers Fate of Georgia Maps in High-Stakes Redistricting Case," January 21, 2025
    34. American Redistricting Project, "Nairne v. Landry," accessed November 20, 2024
    35. NOLA.com. "Louisiana must redraw its legislative districts, federal judge rules. Here's why." February 8, 2024
    36. 36.0 36.1 Twitter. "RedistrictNet," February 8, 2024
    37. The Tennessean, "Judges rule Tennessee Senate map unconstitutional, order legislature to redraw by Jan. 31," November 22, 2023
    38. The Tennessean, "Gov. Bill Lee signs redistricting bills dividing Davidson County into three congressional districts," February 7, 2022
    39. 39.0 39.1 Associated Press, "Trump tells Texas Republicans to redraw the state congressional map to help keep House majority," July 15, 2025
    40. 40.0 40.1 Texas Tribune, "The Texas Legislature is back for a special session. Here’s what we’re watching.," July 21, 2025
    41. 41.0 41.1 ABC News, "Texas Democrats escalate fight against Republican-led redistricting efforts with Pritzker, Newsom meetings," July 26, 2025
    42. St. Louis Post-Dispatch, "Missouri Republicans are talking about a redistricting push to help Trump, GOP," July 29, 2025
    43. WRAL News, "NC Republicans pass new congressional districts into law to boost GOP edge in U.S. House races," October 22, 2025
    44. 44.0 44.1 Bay News 9, "States, including Florida, consider mid-decade redistricting," July 29, 2025
    45. Indiana Capital Chronicle, "Indiana leaders hint at early redistricting ‘resolution’ following third meeting with VP," October 10, 2025
    46. Topeka Capital-Journal, "Kansas OKs $460,000 for special redistricting session and maybe more," October 13, 2025
    47. ''Fox Baltimore, "Md. delegate says he'll sponsor redistricting if Texas, others do before census," August 7, 2025
    48. New York Times, "Democrats Have Few Tools to Counter G.O.P. Redistricting," July 24, 2025
    49. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named newsomtweet
    50. New York Times, "California Democrats Pass Redistricting Plan to Counter Texas Republicans," August 21, 2025
    51. CNN, "California Democrats prepare to pass their redistricting plan after Texas House approves new maps," August 21, 2025
    52. NPR, "California Democrats unveil their new congressional map to counter Republicans," August 15, 2025
    53. New York Times, "Newsom’s Latest Statewide Campaign Is About Redistricting. And Donald Trump.," August 14, 2025
    54. YouTube, "Governor Newsom, California leaders host Texas Democrats breaking quorum to fight GOP map-rigging," August 8, 2025
    55. Tampa Bay Times, "Florida House speaker puts together Congressional redistricting committee," August 7, 2025
    56. 56.0 56.1 X, "Interactive Polls on August 7, 2025," accessed August 8, 2025
    57. 57.0 57.1 Topeka Capital Journal, "Kansas OKs $460,000 for special redistricting session and maybe more," October 13, 2025
    58. Truth Social, "Trump on August 21, 2025," accessed September 2, 2025
    59. CNN, "Missouri governor calls special redistricting session amid Trump pressure," August 29, 2025
    60. 60.0 60.1 Associated Press, "Missouri governor signs Trump-backed plan aimed at helping Republicans win another US House seat," September 28, 2025
    61. 61.0 61.1 CNN, "Missouri lawmakers give final approval to map targeting a Democratic House seat," September 12, 2025
    62. Fox2Now, "Missouri House passes redistricting, ballot question reforms," September 9, 2025
    63. St. Louis Public Radio, "Missouri legislators kick off special session on redistricting and limiting ballot amendments," Setpember 3, 2025
    64. Politico, "Missouri to take up redistricting in special session, likely netting GOP 1 seat," August 29, 2025
    65. 65.0 65.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named northcarolina
    66. WRAL News, NC Republicans pass new congressional districts into law to boost GOP edge in U.S. House races, October 22, 2025
    67. New York Times, "North Carolina State Senate Approves New Congressional Map in Effort to Add a Seat," October 21, 2025
    68. 68.0 68.1 ABC 11, "NC Senate passes proposed voting maps changes, bill moves to House," October 21, 2025
    69. Houston Chronicle, "Trump tells Texas Republicans to redraw the state congressional map to help keep House majority," July 15, 2025
    70. 70.0 70.1 X, "Greg Abbott on August 29, 2025," accessed August 29, 2025
    71. Reuters, "Texas Senate approves redistricting bill, sending it to governor to sign," August 25, 2025
    72. New York Times, "Texas House Approves Redistricting Maps, Just as Trump Wanted," August 20, 2025
    73. ABC News, "Texas House redistricting committee advances bill with new congressional maps," August 18, 2025
    74. 74.0 74.1 Texas Tribune, "Texas Senate panel again advances redrawn congressional map," August 17, 2025
    75. The Hill, "Abbott hitting reset in Texas redistricting standoff," August 12, 2025
    76. Texas Tribune, "Texas Senate approves new congressional lines as House Democrats remain out of state," August 12, 2025
    77. CNN, "The Texas redistricting showdown reaches a critical moment," August 8, 2025
    78. News 10, Texas governor asks court to remove House Democratic leader from office over walkout," August 5, 2025
    79. ABC News, "Texas Republicans fail again to advance redistricting effort amid Democrat absences," August 5, 2025
    80. Governor Greg Abbott, "Gov. Abbott on August 3, 2025," accessed August 6, 2025
    81. Politico, "Texas Dems to flee state amid national redistricting battle," August 3, 2025
    82. Texas Tribune, "Texas House panel advances redrawn congressional map that would add more GOP seats," August 1, 2025
    83. Politico, "New Texas congressional map will create 5 districts Trump carried by double digits," July 30, 2025
    84. Texas Tribune, "Texans, Democrats condemn GOP redistricting plans at first public hearing," July 24, 2025
    85. U.S. Department of Justice, "Re: Unconstitutional Race-Based Congressional Districts TX-09, TX-18, TX-29 and TX-33," July 7, 2025
    86. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named 2025session
    87. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named stlpr
    88. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named fox2now
    89. Missouri Independent, "Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signs new congressional redistricting plan," May 18, 2022
    90. Missouri House of Representatives, "101st General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session (HB2909)," accessed May 24, 2022
    91. Missouri Senate, "Journal of the Senate, May 11, 2022," accessed May 24, 2022
    92. Missouri Independent, "Missouri Senate adjourns early after passing congressional redistricting map," May 12, 2022
    93. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named housepass
    94. New York Times, "North Carolina State Senate Approves New Congressional Map in Effort to Add a Seat," October 21, 2025
    95. Associated Press, "Texas Democrats fleeing state to block redistricting vote follows strategy that’s had mixed results," August 3, 2025
    96. Texas Tribune, "The Texas Legislature is back for a special session. Here’s what we’re watching.," July 21, 2025
    97. CBS News, "Texas House passes GOP redistricting plan after weeks-long standoff," August 20, 2025
    98. Houston Chronicle, "Texas Democrats ramp up criticism of new Texas congressional map after Senate sends it to governor," August 23, 2025
    99. LegiScan, "Texas House Bill 4," accessed August 29, 2025
    100. Texas Tribune, "Texas Senate approves congressional map that draws no new Black or Hispanic districts even as people of color fueled population growth," October 8, 2021
    101. Texas Legislature Online, "SB 6," accessed October 20, 2021
    102. Texas Tribune, "Gov. Greg Abbott signs off on Texas’ new political maps, which protect GOP majorities while diluting voices of voters of color," October 25, 2021
    103. Michigan Advance, "Federal court grants final approval to new Michigan Senate districts," July 26, 2024
    104. Michigan Advance, "Redistricting commission selects a proposed Senate map on 6th round of voting," June 27, 2024
    105. Magnolia Tribune, "Appeal to U.S. Supreme Court coming to address “very narrow, legal issue” in court-ordered legislative redistricting," July 3, 2025
    106. Associated Press, "Mississippi can wait to reset legislative districts that dilute Black voting strength, judges say," July 18, 2024
    107. Associated Press, "New Mississippi legislative maps head to court for approval despite DeSoto lawmakers’ objections," March 6, 2025
    108. DeSoto Times-Tribune, "Judges order new redistricting map for DeSoto," April 16, 2025
    109. Mississippi Today, "Federal court approves Mississippi legislative redistricting. Special elections will proceed," May 9, 2025
    110. 110.0 110.1 Jackson Free Press, "Mississippi House and Senate OK Each Other's Redistricting," April 1, 2022
    111. 111.0 111.1 Jackson Free Press, "Mississippi House, Senate Pass Separate Redistricting Plans," March 30, 2022