The 2026 midterm elections for the U.S. House of Representatives lie over a year in the future. Still, politicians on both sides of the aisle already have started devising strategies to improve their party’s chances of controlling the chamber. One controversial tactic, known as “gerrymandering,” involves redrawing the boundaries of congressional districts to favor one side or the other.
On Friday, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a bill into law to adjust the congressional maps in his state, as urged by President Donald Trump. Republicans hope that the new district lines will allow them to capture five seats currently held by Democrats, helping the GOP retain its majority in the House. The legislature had fiercely debated the bill before it passed, with Democrats claiming that it illegally discriminates against minority populations.
The NAACP is pursuing a lawsuit based on this argument, asking a federal judge to block the new map. Its President observed that white voters control about three-quarters of the Texas congressional seats, while accounting for less than half of the state’s population. Courts probably provide the only recourse for opponents of the law within Texas, since it doesn’t require voter approval to take effect.
At a national level, though, blue states could use their own gerrymandering to counter any Republican gains. To this end, the California legislature has created a new map that aims to give Democrats five more congressional seats in that state. In other words, it would precisely negate the advantage sought by Republicans in Texas. Unlike the Texas law, the California measure will take effect only if voters approve it at a special election in November.
The California effort has faced legal challenges from Republicans in the state, but it has survived them so far. However, President Trump has threatened to have the U.S. Department of Justice sue the state over the proposed map. (California Governor Gavin Newsom tweeted “BRING IT” in response.)
While Texas and California have led the charge for each party, politicians in other states weigh similar measures. Red states considering or moving forward with a redistricting agenda include Florida, Indiana, and Missouri. Ohio, another red state, must redraw its map this year and may try to tilt it further in favor of Republicans. Blue states where countermeasures might emerge include Maryland and New York.
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