Redistricting Battle Heats Up: States Revise Congressional Maps Amid Court Challenges and Political Tensions
February 20, 2026
A broad wave of redistricting moves across states—from finalized maps to proposed revisions and even referenda—could reshape party advantage in Congress, with action in Virginia, Maryland, Missouri, Utah, New York, Florida, Texas, California, North Carolina, Ohio and more facing court challenges.
In Texas, the Republican-backed map cleared by the Supreme Court targets five Democratic-held seats, and Governor Abbott signed it into law after Democratic lawmakers briefly fled to block the vote.
North Carolina’s Republican-led General Assembly approved revised districts that could add another Republican seat, with federal approval allowing their use in the midterms.
Across these efforts, each district outcome has the potential to swing the House majority, making redistricting a central strategic battleground.
The redistricting fight is portrayed as high-stakes and deeply partisan, shaping the political landscape and the balance of power in a House Republicans hold with a fragile margin won in 2024.
Legal challenges and state legislative actions are actively shaping redistricting processes, underscoring the intense political divide over congressional maps.
There is broad uncertainty about midterm outcomes given typical patterns and current dynamics, with Democrats aiming to gain a handful of seats to tilt the House in their favor.
The situation mirrors national tensions, showing how maps, litigation and voter processes intersect across states in this high-stakes maneuvering.
Key themes include court interventions, constitutional challenges to gerrymandering, and timelines that could impact the 2026 election cycle.
Other battlegrounds include Virginia and Ohio, where both parties push to expand their influence in the House.
Florida plans a possible special legislative session to redraw districts, but a constitutional challenge questions the governor’s authority, while North Carolina, Texas and California pursue or contest new maps.
Florida’s governor has called a special session to redraw districts, with analysts assessing potential targets for incumbents, though legal obstacles remain.
Summary based on 14 sources
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Sources

The New York Times • Feb 18, 2026
Tracking the Battle to Reshape Congress for the Midterms
Reuters • Feb 20, 2026
How the war over US congressional redistricting is playing out, state by state
AP News • Feb 20, 2026
A redistricting war rages as US House elections draw near | AP News
Investing.com • Feb 20, 2026
Factbox-How the war over US congressional redistricting is playing out, state by state