With the 2026 elections approaching, President Trump has been urging Republican-majority states to redraw their congressional maps in a strategic move to influence the balance of power in the House. This effort could play a crucial role in determining which party gains control after the midterms.
Redistricting Efforts Across the U.S.
JUANA SUMMERS, HOST:
This year, redistricting has emerged as a pivotal issue in American politics. President Trump has initiated a push to reconfigure voting districts nationwide, aiming to secure Republican hold on the House. To explore the developments, Andrew Schneider from Houston Public Media provides insights. Welcome, Andrew.
ANDREW SCHNEIDER, BYLINE: Hello.
SUMMERS: Let’s start with Texas. How did the redistricting process unfold there?
SCHNEIDER: President Trump urged Texas Republicans to revise district boundaries to potentially secure five additional House seats for the GOP. The Republican-dominated legislature and Governor Greg Abbott were keen to comply. Although Democratic lawmakers attempted to stall the process by leaving the state, the redistricting eventually proceeded. Meanwhile, California Democrats responded with their own redistricting that could benefit them by flipping five seats. Similar GOP efforts were seen in North Carolina and Missouri. Redistricting typically follows the census at the start of each decade, but the current level of mid-decade activity is unprecedented since the 1970s.
SUMMERS: Which party appears to have the upper hand at this stage?
SCHNEIDER: Currently, the GOP, spurred by Trump, has used redistricting to potentially flip seven Democratic seats. Ohio’s mandatory redistricting could add two more seats to their advantage, totaling nine potential gains. On the Democratic side, the California initiative and a court-ordered map in Utah could tilt six seats in their favor. Notably, Indiana’s Republican legislature declined to follow Trump’s redistricting agenda, and Kansas shows similar reluctance.
SUMMERS: Why are some states resisting this trend?
SCHNEIDER: The practice of redistricting to favor a party is often criticized as gerrymandering. Justin Levitt from Loyola Marymount University’s Loyola Law School, also an adviser to the Biden administration, explains the negative impact:
JUSTIN LEVITT: “You take away people’s ability to give a thumbs up or thumbs down on how their representatives have performed. And the more frequently you do that, the more you disconnect elected representatives from the people that they represent, the more you sever the relationship between we the people and our elected representatives. That’s not a good thing for any of us.”
SCHNEIDER: Additionally, aggressive redistricting might backfire, making traditionally safe seats more competitive. For example, Texas Republicans drew lines assuming continued Latino support for Trump, but voter preferences could shift by 2026.
SUMMERS: How might these developments shape the 2026 elections?
SCHNEIDER: Democrats in Virginia and Maryland are considering redistricting to benefit their party, while Florida Governor Ron DeSantis plans to favor the GOP. A pending Supreme Court case could further enable Republican-led redistricting. Ultimately, the outcome will hinge on voter turnout in November. Even if redistricting gives Republicans an edge, a significant electoral shift could negate these advantages. With the GOP holding a slim majority in the House, the stakes are high.
SUMMERS: Thank you, Andrew Schneider of Houston Public Media.
SCHNEIDER: You’re welcome.
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