U.S. States Intensify Midterm Redistricting Battles Ahead 2026

A nationwide battle over congressional redistricting is intensifying as President Donald Trump urges Republican-led states to redraw maps to increase GOP representation ahead of the 2026 midterms. Texas and Missouri Republicans have enacted new maps favoring their party, while Democratic states like California are pushing back with their own redistricting efforts, including California's Proposition 50, which could allow Democrats to replace independent commission maps to gain more seats. In Indiana, Republican Governor Mike Braun has called a special session to pursue redistricting despite hesitancy and opposition within the state's GOP, aiming to target Democratic strongholds. Ohio's redistricting commission is struggling to reach a bipartisan agreement with Democrats accusing Republicans of delaying tactics, while Republicans insist they are negotiating in good faith; failure to agree could allow Republicans to pass a map unilaterally. Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger criticized the escalating partisan redistricting as a "war" of cheating, highlighting the heightened political stakes and legal challenges nationwide. Overall, the redistricting conflict reflects deep partisan divides and strategic moves from both parties to control the U.S. House in the upcoming elections.