A major redistricting fight is unfolding across the U.S., as Republican-led legislatures respond to calls by Donald Trump to redraw congressional maps in their favour ahead of the 2026 midterms. In states like North Carolina, GOP lawmakers have advanced a new map projected to give Republicans control of 11 of 14 House seats, up from the current 10 of 14. In this plan, the legislature, which Republicans dominate, bypassed the Democratic governor’s veto power and explicitly stated their intention was partisan. Legal challenges are already being mounted, with critics alleging dilution of Black representation and partisan gerrymandering.

On the other side of the map war, Gavin Newsom in California is promoting a ballot initiative to temporarily override the state’s independent redistricting commission and redraw congressional districts to add five Democrat‐leaning seats. The proposed amendment, known as the “Election Rigging Response Act,” would take effect for the 2026, 2028 and 2030 elections, before reverting to the commission in 2031. Polls indicate Californians are divided. This effort is explicitly framed as retaliation for similar Republican map-making in Texas and other states.

Beyond those two states, battles are also active in places like Utah, where Republican lawmakers passed a new map designed to preserve GOP dominance of all four House seats—even after a court found the 2021 map unconstitutional.  Nationally, Republicans hold a structural advantage: they control both legislative chambers and the governorship in 23 states, compared to 15 for Democrats, giving them greater ability to shape maps in their favour.

In short: the redistricting wars are heating up ahead of the next major midterms. One party is actively working through state legislatures to lock in favourable maps now, while the other is scrambling to respond through ballot measures and legal challenges. The stakes are high — they could determine the shape of the House of Representatives for years to come.