Redistricting battles are heating up in several states ahead of the 2026 midterm elections

Ahead of the 2026 midterms fast approaching, Republicans and Democrats in states across the country are locked in fierce battles over redistricting. Beginning with Texas’ attempt to redraw its congressional map in early 2025, it has led to other states, including California and Missouri, doing the same.

Now, redistricting battles are ramping up in Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland and Virginia.

In Florida

Florida Republicans are fighting over the creation of a House map that has the potential to gain a few seats from the GOP, The Hill reports. Currently, Republicans hold 20 of Florida’s 28 counties.

Despite the fact that the Florida House redistricting panel has already met twice to begin the process, Gov. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., and the state’s Senate Republican leadership appear interested in stalling the discussion until a special session in the spring. However, some fear that this may be too late, as April 20 is the deadline for candidates to qualify and file.

Florida Republicans are also facing challenges because of language in the state Constitution that places strict restrictions on farming, NBC News said.

INDIANA SENATE REPUBLICANS REJECT TRUMP-BACKED RE-RUN, DECLINE MEETING IN DECEMBER

Illinois

Democrats may pick up more seats in Illinois, but the movement has gained little ground. Black lawmakers have expressed concern that the new map could undermine minority representation, according to NBC News.

Gov. JB Pritzker, D-Ill., said his state could be forced to respond if neighboring Indiana moves forward with its redistricting effort. However, he later applauded Indiana when it rejected the new map.

“Our neighbors in Indiana have resisted Trump’s threats and political pressure, choosing instead to do what is right for their constituents and our democracy,” Pritzker wrote in X. “Illinois will remain vigilant about his map manipulation — our efforts to respond and stop his campaign are being heard.”

After Indiana rejected their map, Illinois state Sen. Willie Preston, D, urged Pritzker to drop the idea, The Hill reported, noting that others have suggested the Prairie State is still considering the move.

Jon Maxson, a spokesman for Illinois House Speaker Emanuel Chris Welch, told The Hill in an email that “all options are on the table in Illinois.”

Illinois is facing a major crisis, as the deadline to file for the November election has passed.

Trump once said aboard Air Force One that he would invoke the Sedition Act to deal with violent crime in Chicago and urged Pritzker to “call for help,” deepening their political rift. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images; Talia Sprague/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

TRUMP’S REUNION PUSH BENEFITS IN ANOTHER KEY SITUATION: ‘WE WILL STAND WITH THE PRESIDENT’

Kansas

Kansas is another major redistricting indicator for Republicans.

GOP lawmakers in the Sunflower State said they will discuss redrawing the map when they meet again this month. However, just last year, lawyers tried and failed to bring this issue forward.

Kansas Republicans need two-thirds support in the Legislature to hold a special session to address the map. Although the members of the State House did not have enough support for this issue, the Republicans were able to get enough signatures in the state Senate, reports The Hill. Additionally, they would need to override the veto of Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly.

Kelly recently told the Kansas Reflector that he “would be surprised if they actually revealed it.”

“I don’t think much has changed in terms of where the legislators stand on this issue,” he added.

In November, Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson (R), who is running for governor of Kansas, said in a statement that “California Democrats are working overtime to silence Republicans and steal the House majority.”

“Even Governor Laura Kelly has acknowledged that there is a great danger in doing nothing. On that, we agree. States across America are standing, and Kansas will be part of that fight,” he added.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore held a press conference on Oct. 2025 outside the State House in Annapolis, Maryland. (Kim Hairston/The Baltimore Sun/Tribune News Service via Getty Images))

SCOTUS ALLOWS TEXAS TO USE TRUMP-PUSHED REDDRAWN CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING MAP FAVORING REPUBLICANS

Maryland

Maryland Democrats resisted pressure to redraw the maps. In November, Gov. Wes Moore, a Democrat, has established a commission that also decided to consider this issue despite the lack of desire to move within his party. The commission voted privately to move forward with the plan, much to the dismay of Democratic critics.

Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson, a Democrat, was strongly opposed to the redistricting.

“The majority does not want a new congressional map,” Ferguson said in a statement, according to the Hill. “They want their government to focus on promoting growth, affordability, and real protections for this illegitimate federal government.”

The commission is asking the public about congressional map proposals ahead of the February 24 government filing deadline.

Virginia Democratic candidate, former Rep. Abigail Spanberger celebrates as she takes the stage during her election night rally at the Greater Richmond Convention Center on Nov. 4, 2025. (Wina McNamee/Getty Images)

Virginia

In late October, just before the state’s gubernatorial election, Virginia Democratic lawmakers took the first major step in a complex political process aimed at redrawing the state’s federal map.

Democrats were able to pass an amendment to the state Constitution to allow lawmakers to temporarily reimpose the restrictions in the middle of the decade in 2030, notes The Hill. The amendment will need to be passed again in the spring or summer before voters have their say. Lawmakers now have the help of more Democrats in the state Legislature following the November 2025 election.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS PROGRAM

“Our congressional caucus is 6-5 – six Democrats, five Republicans. 10-1 not out of place,” Virginia House Speaker Don Scott said in early December, according to NBC News.

If voters approve the referendum, lawmakers will be able to pass a new map before the 2026 midterms. The Hill noted that Republicans are more likely to challenge the new map in court.