President Donald Trump encouraged Republican-led states to redraw maps to boost GOP seats, prompting Democratic-led states to respond in kind. California Gov. Gavin Newsom framed the effort as retaliation, saying Trump “started this redistricting war.”
The Supreme Court’s 2019 ruling that partisan gerrymandering claims are not subject to federal review has further opened the door to aggressive mapmaking, even as racially discriminatory maps remain challengeable.
Republican-Led States Advancing New Maps
Several GOP-controlled states are moving forward with redistricting that could favor Republicans:
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis called a special session to consider maps that could weaken three to five Democratic seats, though a state constitutional amendment poses legal challenges.
Ohio approved a new map that could help Republicans flip two Democratic districts due to a state law requiring a redraw.
Missouri enacted a map that dismantles a Democratic-held Kansas City seat, though lawsuits and a potential referendum loom.
North Carolina approved a GOP-backed map designed to flip a Democratic seat, with no veto power granted to the governor under state law.
Republican Efforts That Fell Short
Not all GOP efforts succeeded.
Indiana’s Republican-controlled Senate rejected a Trump-backed plan that would have tilted all nine House seats toward Republicans.
Kansas lawmakers abandoned a similar effort after concluding they lacked enough support to override a veto from Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly.
Democratic Gains Sought in Other States
Democrats are also pursuing redistricting advantages in several states:
Virginia lawmakers approved a constitutional amendment that could allow redrawing maps to flip up to four seats, though it must still be approved by voters and survive legal challenges.
Utah saw a state judge strike down a GOP-drawn map, replacing it with one that could flip a Republican-held seat.
New York is redrawing a Staten Island-based district after a court order, potentially putting a GOP seat in play.
Maryland Effort Stalls
In Maryland, Democrats attempted to target the state’s lone Republican House seat, but the effort stalled after state Senate leaders said there was insufficient support to move forward.
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