Redistricting Showdown: How States Are Battling Over U.S. Congressional Maps

Overview: U.S. President Donald Trump has urged Republican-controlled states to redraw congressional maps to improve GOP prospects in the November midterms, triggering a nationwide redistricting battle. While Republicans appeared to hold an early advantage, Democratic-led efforts and court rulings have narrowed the gap. With Democrats needing to flip just three Republican-held seats to win a House majority, each contested district could prove decisive.

Republican Moves

Texas — Up To Five Seats

The U.S. Supreme Court in early December allowed a new Republican-backed map to stand while litigation continues, in a 6-3 decision that paused a lower court finding the map likely discriminated against minority voters. Gov. Greg Abbott signed the map into law in August after more than 50 Democratic lawmakers briefly fled the state to block a vote. Under a 2021 Republican map, the GOP already holds 25 of Texas' 38 seats; the new map could target up to five additional Democratic-held seats.

Missouri — One Seat

Gov. Mike Kehoe signed a new map in September that dismantled a Kansas City-based Democratic seat, improving Republican prospects to seven of eight districts. Opponents are pursuing a voter referendum and multiple lawsuits challenging the map's legality.

Ohio — Up To Two Seats

A state constitutional provision required a new map for 2026 because the prior plan was approved with no Democratic votes. Ohio’s five-Republican, two-Democrat redistricting commission unanimously approved an October map that could help Republicans flip up to two Democratic-held seats. Republicans currently hold 10 of 15 House seats.

North Carolina — One Seat

The Republican-controlled legislature approved an October map aimed at flipping a Democratic seat, which would raise the GOP total to 11 of 14 U.S. House seats. State law limited the Democratic governor’s ability to intervene.

Florida — Possibly Up To Five Seats

Gov. Ron DeSantis called a special legislative session in late April to consider redistricting; analysts say the effort could target three to five Democratic incumbents. Legal and intra-party hurdles leave the outcome uncertain. Republicans already hold 20 of Florida’s 28 seats after a 2022 map that flipped four Democratic districts.

Indiana — Effort Failed

Indiana’s Republican-controlled Senate rejected a proposed map that would have targeted the state’s two Democratic House seats, a notable rebuke of Trump-backed redistricting pressure. Republicans still control seven of nine seats.

FILE PHOTO: People hold up banners before California Governor Gavin Newsom, along with local congressional representatives, state officials and supporters, announces the redrawing of California's congressional maps, calling on voters to approve a ballot measure, in response to a similar move in Texas being supported by U.S. President Donald Trump, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., August 14, 2025. REUTERS/Mike Blake/ File Photo

Kansas — Effort Failed

Kansas Republicans dropped an effort to redraw congressional lines after the state House speaker said he lacked the votes to overcome a veto threat from Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly. Republicans hold three of four seats.

Democratic Moves

California — Up To Five Seats

Voters overwhelmingly approved a Democratic-backed map championed by Gov. Gavin Newsom that aims to flip as many as five Republican-held seats in direct response to Texas. Democrats currently hold 43 of California’s 52 districts.

Virginia — Possibly Up To Four Seats

The Democratic legislature approved a constitutional amendment in January that would allow a new congressional map aimed at flipping up to four Republican seats, but voters must approve the change in an April 21 referendum. The effort has faced multiple court blocks and appeals; a state judge initially blocked the referendum, the state Supreme Court allowed it to proceed, and a Tazewell Circuit Court judge again halted it on procedural grounds as of Feb. 19. Democrats hold six of Virginia’s 11 seats and have proposed a map that would dramatically increase their advantage.

Utah — One Seat

A state judge rejected a Republican-drawn map as illegally partisan and implemented an alternative that is likely to flip one of Utah’s four Republican-held seats to Democrats.

Maryland — Effort Stalled

House Democrats advanced a map on Feb. 2 targeting the state’s lone Republican representative, supported by Gov. Wes Moore, but the state Senate president said he will not bring the bill up for a vote, stalling the proposal. Democrats now hold seven of Maryland’s eight districts.

New York — Possibly One Seat

A judge ordered New York’s independent redistricting commission to redraw a Republican-held Staten Island-centered district after finding the current lines harmed minority voters. Republicans appealed; a mid-level appeals court on Feb. 19 rejected the challenge and ordered the commission to draw a new map. Democrats currently hold 19 of 26 seats in the state.

What’s At Stake

Control of the U.S. House is hanging by a few seats. Legal challenges, state legislative battles, and court decisions — including a pivotal U.S. Supreme Court ruling — are shaping which party will enter November with the edge. Every contested district could be pivotal in a tight national landscape.

Reporting by Joseph Ax; additional reporting by Andy Sullivan. Edited for clarity and structure.