The biggest headline throughout the 2025-26 election cycle has been mid-decade redistricting in a handful of states. With a slim majority in the U.S. House of Representatives, GOP leaders in Washington are looking to Republican-led states to redraw congressional maps—in hope of picking up as many seats as possible—while Democrats are vowing to push back.

As of Oct. 28, there have been major developments in the battle to control the House. Here are the latest redistricting actions and how they may reshape ABC’s political advocacy:

Texas: 25 R 12 D 1 Open    →    30 R 7 D 1 Open

The Lone Star State was the first domino to fall in the redistricting wars. The state legislature approved a new congressional map that would axe five Democrat-held seats in major urban areas.

California: 43 D 9 R   →   48 D 4 R

Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom has pledged to counter the new Texas map with one of his own—but it will face a public ballot measure to be voted on in early November. Proposition 50 would override the state’s independent redistricting commission and give Democrats more favorable district maps.

Indiana: 7 R 2 D   →   8 R 1 D

On Oct. 27, Republican Gov. Mike Braun convened a special legislative session to work through several priorities, including redistricting. Vice President J.D. Vance recently visited the Hoosier State, where there has been some apathy in the state legislature to redraw the current map. Indiana will be a good litmus test to see if other red states fall in line.

Missouri: 6 R 2 D   →   7 R 1 D

In September, Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe and the state legislature passed a new map that would make Rep. Emmanuel Cleaver’s seat, which represents the Kansas City area, more Republican-leaning. The new map is sure to face an uphill legal battle.

Ohio: 10 R 5 D   →   12 R 3 D

After a court-mandated decision, lawmakers in the Buckeye State had until Sept. 30 to submit a new map—and missed the deadline. Now, the Ohio State Redistricting Commission will have until late November to submit a new one.

Illinois: 14 D 3 R   →   16 D 1 R

Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker has indicated he’s attracted to the idea of a new map to favor Democrats; however, Illinois is already heavily gerrymandered. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., was in the Land of Lincoln on Oct. 28 to pressure Illinois lawmakers to try and pick up one Democratic seat.

North Carolina: 10 R 4 D   →   11 R 1 D

In North Carolina, Republicans are looking to wipe out one blue seat, presumably Rep. Don Davis’s competitive seat, who represents the Rocky Mount area. The state legislature approved a new map on Oct. 24 that makes the push all but certain.

Utah: 4 R   →   3 R 1 D

After a court-mandated decision, Republican Gov. Spencer Cox signed into law a new congressional map that would shift two Salt Lake City-area seats. According to Politico, Utah’s 3rd Congressional District could be the most competitive. It is possible that Democrats could pick up one seat in the Beehive State.

Kansas: 3 R 1 D   →   4 R 0 D

Republican state legislators in Kansas are moving forward with a plan to nix Democrat Sharice Davids’s seat, a Democrat who represents the Roeland Park area. Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly opposes the plan and will demand public hearings if they override her veto. On Oct. 27, state legislators in Topeka secured enough signatures on a petition to move forward with the plan.

Virginia: 6 D 5 R   →   8 D 3 R

On Oct. 27, members of the Virginia General Assembly voted to adopt an amendment that would allow them to move forward with a new map that would axe up to two Republican seats. The most vulnerable GOP incumbents at this juncture are Reps. Jen Kiggans, a Republican who represents the Virginia Beach area, and Rob Whittman, a Republican who represents the Tappahannock area.

Florida: 20 R 8 D   →   22 R 6 D

Florida is one of the latest states to consider redistricting. State lawmakers have started to take steps to undergo a mid-decade redraw of the map. The goal is to target two districts, and the plan is sure to face challenges in the courts.

The ABC political affairs team is committed to electing merit shop-friendly candidates to Congress and will continue to monitor new developments as they arise.