Two states are set to convene special legislative sessions this week to redraw their congressional boundaries, and several other states could be close behind after a landmark Supreme Court decision last week striking down Louisiana’s map.
Alabama legislators are set to meet on Monday and Tennessee lawmakers will meet on Tuesday as the two red state governors seek to swap out their congressional maps ahead of the November midterm elections. Republicans in Alabama are meeting with hopes to approve plans for a special primary election later this year if the state is permitted to redraw its boundaries.
Alabama leaders filed a request to the U.S. Supreme Court last week asking to replace its congressional map, which is still pending. That decision will determine whether state lawmakers’ plans for a special primary election under new boundaries can move forward.
If so, Alabama leaders are eyeing a map that would ensure all seven House seats are held by Republicans.
Meanwhile in Tennessee, lawmakers will attempt to break up the state’s only Democratic House seat largely encompassing Memphis to lock up all nine districts.
Other states are also weighing whether to get involved — especially for Democrats who want to even the playing field or other Republican states receiving demands from President Donald Trump to ensure major victories in November.
“We should demand that State Legislatures do what the Supreme Court says must be done,” Trump said in a social media post on Sunday. “That is more important than administrative convenience.”
However, it’s not clear how much of the political landscape can be changed before the midterm elections. Some states have already held their primaries or are currently voting in those races.
Eight states have already approved new congressional maps ahead of the November races, with Republicans so far enjoying a slim advantage. However, some states are still undergoing legal challenges.
Here’s the breakdown of the redistricting war so far and how it’s changing the parties’ midterm calculus.
Louisiana
After the Supreme Court ruling last week, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry announced the state would delay the House primary elections so that new lines can be enacted first.
Current state of play: The state has six House districts, four held by Republicans and two by Democrats. In redrawing the map, Republicans will seek to flip either one or both of those seats.
Because the Supreme Court decision was specifically based on Louisiana’s map, Republicans view it as a better chance to accomplish some sort of redraw before November.
But: The state faces a slew of legal challenges to stop the delayed primary elections. Additionally, it’s not required by the Supreme Court to replace an unconstitutional map if the changes are too close to an election — a precedent that could work against Republicans.
South Carolina
Despite brushing off the idea of redistricting late last year, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster has signaled an openness to redraw the state’s map after the latest court ruling.
Current state of play: South Carolina has a seven-member U.S. House delegation made up of six Republicans and just one Democrat: Rep. Jim Clyburn. In a potential redraw, Republicans will look to squeeze the 17-term Democrat out of office.
Voting has not begun in South Carolina, which could make it easier for Republicans to implement new boundaries with fewer legal challenges and with enough time to get everything in order before November.
But: Timing will be a big factor here. The state Legislature is scheduled to adjourn in less than two weeks, giving a tight deadline if Republicans choose to move forward.
Meanwhile, some state Republicans have not expressed much motivation to make it a priority.
Georgia
Although Gov. Brian Kemp closed the door to a new congressional map before November, the Georgia Republican did indicate the state would seek a redraw before the 2028 races.
Current state of play: Despite demands from some lawmakers in his own party, Kemp declined to redraw the maps before the state’s primary because early voting is already underway. The state’s primary election is May 19.
But: He said the latest Supreme Court ruling “requires Georgia to adopt new electoral maps before the 2028 election cycle.”
Depending on how aggressive Republicans want to be, they could seek to flip at least two or three seats in that election cycle. There are 14 House districts in Georgia, nine held by Republicans and four held by Democrats. One of the seats is vacant after the death of Democratic Rep. David Scott last month.
Mississippi
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves previously announced the state would hold a special session to redraw the state’s map if the Supreme Court ruling was announced. That session could begin in a few weeks.
Current state of play: Mississippi has four seats in the House, three held by Republicans and one held by a Democrat. If the state chooses to go forward with redrawing a map, it could transform the state into an all-Republican delegation.
But: Reeves has not yet announced whether he will add redrawing the House map to the special session agenda.
States eyeing 2028 changes
Although they aren’t getting involved yet, there are several states eyeing changes for the 2028 election — still two years before the census and states are required to redraw their maps anyway.
Democrats in Colorado have said they are considering changes to offset Republican gains in the South. Other states such as New York, Illinois and Maryland are also weighing redraws.
The 8 states with already-changed maps for November
Eight states have so far changed their maps ahead of November, including Texas, California, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Utah, Virginia, and Florida.
The redraw in Texas set off the 2026 redistricting fight, which was soon countered by Democrats in California. The new map in the Lone Star state could secure up to five new seats for Republicans while the Golden State could also flip five seats — effectively canceling each other out.
Missouri quickly followed suit to enact a map that would make the one of the state’s two Democrats, Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, in a more Republican-leaning district. That could give Republicans an extra seat.
North Carolina similarly approved a new map that would make Democratic Rep. Don Davis in a more competitive race, giving Republicans another pick-up opportunity.
Ohio was required to redraw its map as the previous lines were not approved on a bipartisan basis in the state Legislature, which is required by the state Constitution. The new lines give Republicans an advantage to flip up to two seats.
Utah was also required to redraw its boundaries after a judge ruled the previous version was illegally gerrymandered. The newest map gives Democrats a blue seat to flip, likely ending the state’s all-Republican delegation.
Virginia was one of the most recent map shake-ups after voters approved a constitutional amendment to bypass the state’s redistricting commission and enact a new map before November. That is expected to give Democrats a chance to flip three or four seats. That map is still awaiting a ruling from the state Supreme Court.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a new congressional map on Monday that would flip four seats in Republicans’ direction. However, there are pending legal challenges.