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Here Are the States That Are Considering Redistricting
The GOP has the advantage when it comes to the redistricting battles, say experts who spoke with The Epoch Times.
As Republicans and Democrats look to control the House in the 2026 midterms, an issue that has come to the forefront is the attempt to redistrict seats.
'California is gerrymandered,' President Donald Trump told CNBC on Aug. 5. 'We should have many more seats in Congress in California—it's all gerrymandered. And we have an opportunity in Texas to pick up five seats.'
The GOP has the advantage when it comes to the redistricting battles, say experts who spoke with The Epoch Times.
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'Republicans definitely hold the edge here, given that so many states where Democrats could try to draw districts in their favor—California, Colorado, New Jersey, New York, Washington—use some type of [independent] commission to draw lines,' said Shawn Donahue, a political science professor at the University at Buffalo. 'If Democrats win the governorship in Virginia this year, that is another state where they would have the trifecta, but it also uses a commission.'
Bryan Jones, a public policy professor at the University of Texas at Austin, said that 'Republicans have the votes in theory.'
'It may not come easy, and the more attention, the less likely the success,' Jones said. 'Democrats will be focused on keeping the issue in the limelight, easier during the special sessions than in a general session.'
Here are the states that are now considering redistricting. Texas Texas led the trend by calling a special session to not only deal with the aftermath of flooding in the central part of the state but also to add several new Republican districts.
The GOP is looking to add five seats to the congressional map, of which the party controls 25 of 38 seats.
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This would not be the first time the Texas Republicans have redrawn the congressional map outside of the usual time, which is in the aftermath of the census every decade.
California In response to Texas's plans to add congressional seats, California is
Democratic state lawmakers have fled Texas in an attempt to deny the GOP the presence of a quorum to approve the new response to Texas's plans to add congressional seats, California is looking to 'fight fire with fire,' according to California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
'We also will punch above our weight in terms of the impact of what we're doing,' he told reporters on Aug. 4. 'And I think that should be absorbed by those in the Texas delegation. Whatever they are doing will be neutered here in the state of California.'
But this is easier said than done.
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California's redistricting map is drawn by an independent commission.
Newsom announced on Aug. 8 that he will call a special election to redraw California's congressional map and therefore go around the commission.
'We are talking about emergency measures to respond to what's happening in Texas, and we will nullify what happens in Texas,' he told reporters.
'We will pick up five seats with the consent of the people, and that's the difference between the approach we're taking and the approach they're taking. We're doing it [on a] temporary basis.'
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Democrats control 43 of the Golden State's 52 congressional seats. New York New York wants to join California in the redistricting resistance against Republicans, but, like California, it has an independent commission that draws the congressional maps.
'Democratic states have gone to independent redistricting,' Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said at an Aug. 4 press briefing. 'It's difficult to ask New York, California, and other Democratic-leaning states to play nonpartisan while Republicans play very partisan.'
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul seems to want to go around the independent commission.
'We're sick and tired of being pushed around when other states don't have the same aspirations that we always have,' she said at the same press briefing. which she hosted alongside Texas Democrats who fled their state over the GOP-led redistricting map. 'And I hold those dear. But I cannot ignore that the playing field has changed dramatically, and shame on us if we ignore that fact and cling tight to the vestiges of the past. That era is over—Donald Trump eliminated it forever.'
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At least one Republican in the state is against the redistricting battle.
'I think it's wrong, what Texas is doing,' Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) said on CNN. 'I don't support it. I think it is wrong.'
Democrats control 19 of the 25 congressional districts in the Empire State. Indiana Another red state, Indiana, may add a seat or two to help Republicans keep control of Congress. The GOP already controls seven of the state's nine congressional districts.
'Some Republicans are thinking about redistricting, but geography makes it hard,' William Bianco, a political science professor at the University of Indiana, told The Epoch Times.
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'There are two Democratic areas in the state—Indianapolis and the northwestern area near Chicago.
'At most, they might get one more Republican seat, but at the cost of making two or three existing Republican incumbents significantly more vulnerable.'
Vice President JD Vance has met with Indiana Gov. Mike Braun to discuss the possibility.
Braun has not committed to redistricting mid-decade.
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'Whatever we discuss there, if that topic comes up, is exploratory,' he told the press ahead of meeting Vance. 'So there's been no commitments made other than that.'
Ohio Ohio will have no choice but to redraw its map due to its 2021 version not receiving bipartisan support.
Following the meeting, Braun did not specifically comment on the will have no choice but to redraw its map due to its 2021 version not receiving bipartisan support.
The GOP controls 10 of the state's 15 congressional seats. Maryland State Rep. David Moon, a Democrat, said he would put forth legislation to redistrict in the Old Line State if Texas goes through with its redistricting.
'I'm introducing legislation to redraw Maryland congressional districts if any other state cheats & draws new maps outside of the census period,' he wrote on X. 'Seems Trump has convinced Texas, Missouri & others, and FWIW TX did it years ago & got away with it because nobody responded.'
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The Democrats control all but one congressional district in Maryland. Florida The speaker of the Sunshine State's House, Daniel Perez, announced on Aug. 7 that he is creating a select committee to consider redrawing the congressional map this fall. State senate leaders have not yet disclosed similar plans. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis previously said he's 'very seriously' looking at a mid-decade redistricting.
The GOP controls 20 of Florida's 28 congressional seats. Wisconsin Wisconsin state Democrats have turned to the courts to try to force a redrawing of districts before the 2026 midterms. The state Supreme Court declined to hear their challenge, and lawsuits have since been filed.
The GOP controls six of the Badger State's eight congressional districts. Missouri The Missouri Legislature could be called into special session in order to draw a district that favors Republicans.
This would be done by splitting up a district that includes Kansas City and is represented by Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.). Were it successful, Cleaver would likely be pushed out of office.
The GOP controls all but two of Missouri's eight congressional districts.
