...
By Khaleda Rahman and John Feng
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Republicans and Democrats have been scrambling to redraw their congressional maps to give their candidates an edge in November’s midterm elections.
It began after President Donald Trump called for Republicans in Texas to redraw the state’s congressional districts to give the GOP an additional five seats.
Democrats in California countered Texas’ move by redrawing their own congressional boundaries. On Wednesday, the Supreme Court allowed California to use the new voter-approved map in this year’s elections, rejecting a plea from Republicans and the Trump administration.
Read More on News
Other states have followed suit in what has become a tit-for-tat nationwide redistricting battle, with control of Congress on the line in November’s midterm elections.
Trump had hoped redistricting could help Republicans hold on to their slim majority in the House, given the party in power tends to lose seats during midterm elections. So far, Republicans have a slight advantage in the redistricting battle but it is unclear whether it will make a difference in determining control of Congress.
What Has Been Decided?
So far, six states—California, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas and Utah—have implemented new congressional maps, according to a tracker from the National Conference of State Legislatures.
The new maps in Texas, Missouri, North Carolina and Ohio could help Republicans gain nine additional seats in the House. But redrawn maps in California and Utah could help Democrats win six additional seats.
The Supreme Court has cleared the way for Texas and California to use the new maps in this year’s elections. Lawsuits are challenging the legality of the new districts in Missouri and Republicans are challenging the new map in Utah.
What Is Still To Be Decided?
Legislation proposing new maps has been introduced or advanced in Maryland, South Carolina, Virginia and Washington. Meanwhile, Florida is set to undertake redistricting this spring.
Court challenges could also affect the boundaries of congressional districts in states including New York and Louisiana.
Texas
Texas was the first U.S. state to take up redistricting at Trump’s request.
Republican Governor Greg Abbott signed a new U.S. House map into law on August 29 that could help Republicans win five additional seats. The Supreme Court in December cleared the way for the new districts to be used in this year’s elections. Republicans currently hold 25 of the state’s 38 congressional seats, while Democrats hold 13.
California
Voters in November approved a new congressional map drawn by the Democratic-led Legislature that could help Democrats win five additional seats. The Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed the new districts to be used in this year’s elections. Democrats hold 43 of the state’s congressional seats, while Republicans hold nine.
Missouri
Republican Governor Mike Kehoe signed a new map into law in September that could help Republicans gain an additional seat.
Opponents submitted petition signatures in December to try to force a statewide referendum on the map, which would occur in a November election. Several lawsuits also challenge the legality of the new districts.
Republicans hold six of Missouri’s eight U.S. House seats, while Democrats hold two.
North Carolina
North Carolina’s Republican-led General Assembly gave final approval to a new map in October that could help Republicans win an additional seat.
A federal court panel on November 26 denied a request to block the revised districts from being used in the midterm elections.
Republicans hold 10 of the state’s congressional seats, while Democrats hold four.
Ohio
A bipartisan panel composed primarily of Republicans voted October 31 to approve revised House districts that improve Republicans’ chances of winning two additional seats.
The state constitution required new districts because Republicans approved the prior map without Democratic support.
Republicans hold 10 of Ohio’s congressional seats, while Democrats hold five.
Utah
A judge in November imposed revised House districts that could help Democrats win a seat.
Republicans are challenging the judicial map selection, which followed the court’s ruling that lawmakers had circumvented anti-gerrymandering standards passed by voters.
Republicans hold all four of Utah’s congressional seats.
Virginia
No revised districts have been proposed yet. The Democratic-led General Assembly proposed a constitutional amendment on January 16, allowing mid-decade redistricting if also approved by statewide voters.
A state judge later ruled the constitutional amendment is invalid because lawmakers violated their own rules while passing it. Democrats are appealing that ruling.
Democrats currently hold six of 11 districts and view two of the GOP-held seats, those held by Representatives Jen Kiggans and Rob Wittman, as being potentially competitive.
Maryland
The state House on February 2 approved a new congressional map that could help Democrats win the states only Republican-held seat.
But the Democratic Senate president has said his chamber won’t move forward with redistricting because of concerns it could backfire against Democrats.
Democrats hold seven of the state’s congressional seats, while Republicans hold one.
New York
No revised districts have been proposed yet. A judge on January 21 ordered the state to draw new boundaries for the only congressional district in New York City that is held by a Republican, ruling it unconstitutionally dilutes the votes of Black and Hispanic residents. Republicans have appealed the court ruling.
Democrats hold 19 of the state’s congressional seats, and Republicans hold seven.
Florida
No revised districts have been proposed yet. Republican Governor Ron DeSantis said he will call a special legislative session on congressional redistricting in April.
However, the state constitution says districts cannot be drawn with intent to favor or disfavor a political party or incumbent.
Republicans hold 20 of the state’s congressional seats, and Democrats hold eight.
Louisiana
No revised districts have been proposed yet.
Republican Governor Jeff Landry signed legislation in October to delay the state’s primary election from April 18 to May 16, which could give lawmakers extra time to redraw House districts if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns the current districts.
The Supreme Court heard arguments in October, but has not issued a decision.
Republicans hold four of Louisiana’s congressional seats, while Democrats hold two.
Indiana
Redistricting would have improved Republicans’ chances of winning two additional seats.
A proposed map passed the House on December 5, but the state Senate rejected it in a bipartisan vote on December 11.
Republicans hold seven of the state’s congressional seats and Democrats hold two.
Illinois
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in October proposed a map that would improve Democrats’ chances of winning an additional seat.
The Democratic-led General Assembly has not taken up redistricting, citing concerns about the effect on representation for Black residents.
Democrats hold 14 of the state’s congressional seats, while Republicans hold three.
Kansas
No revised districts have been proposed yet, though Republicans have pushed for redistricting in the state.
Republican lawmakers dropped a petition drive for a special session on congressional redistricting in November. A House leader said in January that the plan still lacks enough support.
Republicans hold three of the state’s four congressional seats.
Colorado
No revised districts have been proposed yet, but several Democratic state officials have expressed support for a constitutional amendment to allow mid-decade redistricting.
An amendment would need to go on a statewide ballot before new districts could be implemented.
Republicans and Democrats each hold four of the state’s eight congressional seats.
Washington
No revised districts have been proposed yet. Democratic lawmakers have proposed a constitutional amendment that would allow mid-decade redistricting.
But Democrats don’t hold the two-thirds majority needed in both legislative chambers to refer a proposed amendment to the ballot, meaning it is unlikely to be approved before the November election.
Democrats hold eight of the state’s congressional seats, while Republicans hold two.
Nebraska
No revised districts have been proposed yet.
Republican Governor Jim Pillen has expressed support for mid-decade redistricting to try to shore up a competitive district. But some Republican lawmakers remain reluctant to undertake mid-decade redistricting.
Republicans hold all three of the state’s congressional seats.
Wisconsin
No revised districts have been proposed yet.
Two lawsuits argue that congressional districts must be redrawn because they unconstitutionally favor Republicans.
One case is not scheduled for trial until 2027, and it’s unclear whether the other case can be resolved before November’s midterm election.
Republicans hold six of the state’s congressional seats, while Democrats hold two.
This article includes reporting by The Associated Press.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines