Republicans Push Midterm Maps in 8 States, Eyeing Up to 14 House Seats
Updated
Updated · PBS NewsHour · May 27
Republicans Push Midterm Maps in 8 States, Eyeing Up to 14 House Seats
10 articles · Updated · PBS NewsHour · May 27
Louisiana lawmakers are moving toward a new congressional map before their June 1 deadline, after the Supreme Court struck down the state's two-majority-Black-district plan and Gov. Jeff Landry delayed the May 16 primary.
A federal panel blocked Alabama's Republican-backed map Tuesday, ordering use of a court-imposed plan with two Black-majority or near-majority districts; the state has already appealed.
Courts also kept pressure on other GOP redraws: a Florida judge let a challenged map stand for now, a Tennessee court refused to halt a map splitting Memphis, and Missouri judges are hearing a third challenge Wednesday.
South Carolina moved the other way, with the Republican-led Senate shelving a plan to target the state's lone Democratic-held seat as early voting for the June 9 primaries began.
Across the mid-decade redistricting fight, Republicans say new maps could net as many as 14 seats, while Democrats see gains of six in California and Utah as both parties battle for a narrowly divided House.
How will new court rulings on redistricting reshape community representation in the U.S. House?
With federal rules changing, what role will state courts now play in ensuring fair elections?
Could technology provide an impartial solution to the complex challenge of drawing voting districts?
The 2026 Mid-Decade Redistricting Surge: Republican Gains, Supreme Court Shifts, and the Battle for the U.S. House
Overview
The U.S. House of Representatives is experiencing an unusual and intense mid-decade transformation, as Republicans make major efforts to redraw congressional maps ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. This unprecedented wave of redistricting was driven by President Donald Trump’s push to secure a Republican majority and a pivotal U.S. Supreme Court ruling. As a result, a dozen states have either approved or are working on new House maps, with the current House closely divided. These changes are reshaping the political landscape and setting the stage for a fierce battle over control of Congress.