<p>Can political parties change electoral maps in order to win elections? That’s exactly what is happening in Texas, and could soon happen in California and other US states. The Republican-controlled state legislature in Texas has passed a redistricting bill with the aim of getting more seats for the GOP in the 2026 midterm elections, while Democrat-majority California is reportedly planning a similar move to flip some seats in favour of the Democrats. While this may appear to be political malpractice at first glance, it is nothing new in American politics. In fact, gerrymandering—the practice of redrawing electoral maps to gain political advantage by clustering or splitting voter groups—is a long-standing and highly contentious issue in the United States. Here's what you need to know.</p><h2>Why is the Texas redistricting bill so contentious?</h2><p>The Texas redistricting bill, passed by the Republican-controlled Texas House and Senate, is controversial largely because it was implemented mid-decade, outside the standard 10-year census cycle. A court ruling in the Petteway v. Galveston County case, along with political pressure from President Donald Trump and Texas Governor Greg Abbott, accelerated the passage of the bill.</p><p><strong>Also read: </strong><a href=" https://www.wionews.com/world/-this-is-not-democracy-texas-republicans-crush-filibuster-pass-new-map-handing-trump-big-boost-ahead-of-2026-midterm-elections-1755941788914"><strong>'This is not democracy': Texas Republicans crush Filibuster, pass new map handing Trump big boost ahead of 2026 midterm elections</strong></a></p><h2>What does the Texas redistricting bill aim to achieve?</h2><p>The main objective is to solidify Republican control of the Texas state legislature ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.</p><p>The process has faced accusations of partisan gerrymandering: the bill redraws 37 of Texas’s 38 congressional districts to favour Republicans.</p><p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/texas-redistricting-plan-democrats-return-to-texas-vow-to-take-redistricting-battle-to-court-wion-1755636227781/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/texas-redistricting-plan-democrats-return-to-texas-vow-to-take-redistricting-battle-to-court-wion-1755636227781/embed</a></p><h2>How will Texas redistricting affect minority voters?</h2><p>Democrats argue that the redistricting could flip up to five Democratic-held seats. The redrawing is expected to move many minority voters—primarily Black and Latino—into districts where their voting power will be diluted, as those districts are now expected to lean Republican.</p><p>With their electoral power weakened, these minority communities could see their voices diminished in the political process.</p><p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-trying-to-manipulate-2026-midterm-election-democrats-flee-texas-to-block-vote-on-redistricting-map-1754281486559"><strong>Also read: Trump trying to manipulate 2026 midterm election? Democrats flee Texas to block vote on redistricting map</strong></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The affected districts—TX-9, TX-18, TX-29, and TX-33—traditionally rely on coalition voting. However, a ruling by the Fifth Circuit Court invalidated such coalition districts, raising further concerns about the erosion of minority representation, especially in urban centres like Houston and regions like the Rio Grande Valley.</p><p>Democrats attempted to block the bill by fleeing the state to deny a legislative quorum, stalling proceedings for two weeks. However, they were compelled—some say threatened—into returning.</p><h2>Gerrymandering by the numbers: How the Texas voting patterns could change</h2><p>At the national level, the balance of congressional seats in Texas could shift from the current 25 Republican vs 13 Democratic split to 30 Republican vs 8 Democratic. This shift could be decisive in future elections, including control of the US House of Representatives.</p><p>Under the redrawn maps, Democratic-leaning urban districts are merged with rural, Republican-stronghold areas. For example, in TX-9, support for Trump is projected to rise from 27.2 per cent to nearly 60 per cent if the changes go into effect.</p><p>Democratic incumbents such as Al Green (TX-9), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), and Marc Veasey (TX-33) now find themselves in more conservative districts, making their re-election bids significantly harder. In short, the voter base that elected them may no longer exist in the same form.</p><h2>California’s response: "Doing a Texas" on gerrymandering?</h2><p>Now enters the concept of ‘retaliatory redistricting’. California’s Democratic Governor, Gavin Newsom, and his party are reportedly planning to redraw the western state’s congressional maps to flip up to five Republican-held seats, countering the Republican gains in Texas.</p><p>A special election is scheduled for November, in which voters will be asked to approve the new maps.</p><p>This move bypasses California’s independent redistricting commission, sparking major backlash. Republicans have filed a lawsuit alleging constitutional violations, including bypassing the mandatory 30-day waiting period.</p><p>California is not acting alone. Other Democratic-majority states like New York and Illinois are also considering redistricting efforts to reinforce Democratic representation.</p><h2>Redrawing of electoral maps faces political and legal pushback</h2><p>Newsom labelled Texas Governor Abbott "delusional" and called for a national independent redistricting reform, even as he supports California’s own redistricting plans.</p><p>Legal challenges could delay the implementation of Texas’s new electoral maps before the 2026 midterm elections.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

Texas and California are redrawing electoral maps to gain political advantage ahead of the 2026 midterms. Texas Republicans aim to flip Democratic seats, while California Democrats plan a counter-move. The battle over gerrymandering raises legal, political, and voter representation concerns.

Can political parties change electoral maps in order to win elections? That’s exactly what is happening in Texas, and could soon happen in California and other US states. The Republican-controlled state legislature in Texas has passed a redistricting bill with the aim of getting more seats for the GOP in the 2026 midterm elections, while Democrat-majority California is reportedly planning a similar move to flip some seats in favour of the Democrats. While this may appear to be political malpractice at first glance, it is nothing new in American politics. In fact, gerrymandering—the practice of redrawing electoral maps to gain political advantage by clustering or splitting voter groups—is a long-standing and highly contentious issue in the United States. Here's what you need to know. Why is the Texas redistricting bill so contentious? The Texas redistricting bill, passed by the Republican-controlled Texas House and Senate, is controversial largely because it was implemented mid-decade, outside the standard 10-year census cycle. A court ruling in the Petteway v. Galveston County case, along with political pressure from President Donald Trump and Texas Governor Greg Abbott, accelerated the passage of the bill. Also read: 'This is not democracy': Texas Republicans crush Filibuster, pass new map handing Trump big boost ahead of 2026 midterm elections What does the Texas redistricting bill aim to achieve? The main objective is to solidify Republican control of the Texas state legislature ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The process has faced accusations of partisan gerrymandering: the bill redraws 37 of Texas’s 38 congressional districts to favour Republicans. https://www.wionews.com/videos/texas-redistricting-plan-democrats-return-to-texas-vow-to-take-redistricting-battle-to-court-wion-1755636227781/embed How will Texas redistricting affect minority voters? Democrats argue that the redistricting could flip up to five Democratic-held seats. The redrawing is expected to move many minority voters—primarily Black and Latino—into districts where their voting power will be diluted, as those districts are now expected to lean Republican. With their electoral power weakened, these minority communities could see their voices diminished in the political process. Also read: Trump trying to manipulate 2026 midterm election? Democrats flee Texas to block vote on redistricting map The affected districts—TX-9, TX-18, TX-29, and TX-33—traditionally rely on coalition voting. However, a ruling by the Fifth Circuit Court invalidated such coalition districts, raising further concerns about the erosion of minority representation, especially in urban centres like Houston and regions like the Rio Grande Valley. Democrats attempted to block the bill by fleeing the state to deny a legislative quorum, stalling proceedings for two weeks. However, they were compelled—some say threatened—into returning. Gerrymandering by the numbers: How the Texas voting patterns could change At the national level, the balance of congressional seats in Texas could shift from the current 25 Republican vs 13 Democratic split to 30 Republican vs 8 Democratic. This shift could be decisive in future elections, including control of the US House of Representatives. Under the redrawn maps, Democratic-leaning urban districts are merged with rural, Republican-stronghold areas. For example, in TX-9, support for Trump is projected to rise from 27.2 per cent to nearly 60 per cent if the changes go into effect. Democratic incumbents such as Al Green (TX-9), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), and Marc Veasey (TX-33) now find themselves in more conservative districts, making their re-election bids significantly harder. In short, the voter base that elected them may no longer exist in the same form. California’s response: "Doing a Texas" on gerrymandering? Now enters the concept of ‘retaliatory redistricting’. California’s Democratic Governor, Gavin Newsom, and his party are reportedly planning to redraw the western state’s congressional maps to flip up to five Republican-held seats, countering the Republican gains in Texas. A special election is scheduled for November, in which voters will be asked to approve the new maps. This move bypasses California’s independent redistricting commission, sparking major backlash. Republicans have filed a lawsuit alleging constitutional violations, including bypassing the mandatory 30-day waiting period. California is not acting alone. Other Democratic-majority states like New York and Illinois are also considering redistricting efforts to reinforce Democratic representation. Redrawing of electoral maps faces political and legal pushback Newsom labelled Texas Governor Abbott "delusional" and called for a national independent redistricting reform, even as he supports California’s own redistricting plans. Legal challenges could delay the implementation of Texas’s new electoral maps before the 2026 midterm elections.

<p>Texas and California are redrawing electoral maps to gain political advantage ahead of the 2026 midterms. Texas Republicans aim to flip Democratic seats, while California Democrats plan a counter-move. Here's how gerrymandering raises legal, political, and voter representation concerns</p>

Texas and California redistricting 2025: Gerrymandering battles intensify ahead of US 2026 midterm elections - What's the row?

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>Texas approves new electoral map, adds five GOP seats to lock in Trump’s grip on Congress</p><p>Texas Republicans early on Saturday (Aug 23) approved a controversial new electoral map that is set to help US President Donald Trump's political ambitions. The new map carves out five new Republican-leaning seats and would aid the Republican Party in retaining control of Congress ahead of next year's US midterm elections. The state Senate passed the bill 18-11 along party lines shortly after midnight, capping more than eight hours of fierce debate. While Democrats had hoped that a filibuster would help delay the vote, it was overtaken in a move being slammed as "disgraceful" and as something that does not belong in a democracy.</p><p><strong>Also read | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/-just-dance-vance-newsom-taunts-trump-s-vp-jd-vance-with-new-nickname-says-not-even-his-eyeliner-lines-1755506542466"><strong>'Just Dance Vance': Newsom taunts Trump's VP JD Vance with new nickname, says 'Not even his eyeliner lines…'</strong></a></p><h2><strong>What happened?</strong></h2><p>In the early hours of Saturday, Texas's state Senate passed the new electoral map with 18-11 votes. Last week, the bill was adopted by the state's lower legislature.</p><p>Reports suggest that Democrats were hoping that Senator Carol Alvarado's filibuster could delay the vote. However, Republicans abruptly shut it down with a rare procedural manoeuvre — something Democratic Senator Sarah Eckhardt later blasted as "unprecedented" and "disgraceful." As per AFP, using a rare procedural motion, Republicans proceeded directly to the final vote. Slamming the move on X, Eckhardt said, "This is not democracy, this is disgraceful". The map now heads to Governor Greg Abbott, who is expected to sign it into law within days.</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">What Dan Patrick pulled on <a href="https://twitter.com/CarolforTexas?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CarolforTexas</a> tonight was disgraceful, but some things never change. <br><br>Just ask Senator Margie Neal, the first woman elected to the Texas Senate in 1931. <br><br>She was silenced by a privileged motion, too. <a href="https://t.co/td3SLu2rKs">pic.twitter.com/td3SLu2rKs</a></p>&mdash; Senator Sarah Eckhardt (@SarahEckhardtTX) <a href="https://twitter.com/SarahEckhardtTX/status/1959160255515959363?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 23, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2><strong>Texas redistricting battle</strong></h2><p>The fight over redistricting in Texas has been one of the most bitter political battles in the country this year. Democrats even fled the state earlier in the summer to try and stall the vote, turning the spotlight on partisan redistricting, also known as "gerrymandering" and its role in shaping national power.</p><p>Driving the push was none other than Donald Trump, who reportedly pressured Texas Republicans into creating the new map as insurance against Democrats taking the House in 2026, halfway through his presidency.</p><p><strong>Also read | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-trying-to-manipulate-2026-midterm-election-democrats-flee-texas-to-block-vote-on-redistricting-map-1754281486559"><strong>Trump trying to manipulate 2026 midterm election? Democrats flee Texas to block vote on redistricting map</strong></a></p><h2><strong>What now?</strong></h2><p>The move is set to set off a political arms race, with California Governor Gavin Newsom responding by starting his own redistricting process, aiming to carve out five new Democratic seats in his state. His plan, however, still needs voter approval in November.</p><p>Both parties, as per the report, are now eyeing other states where quick redraws could tilt the balance further in their favour. With Republicans already holding both chambers of Congress and acting largely in line with Trump's wishes, Democrats are banking on voter backlash against his policies to flip the House. A win there would give the Democrats the ability to investigate Trump's administration, controversial government members.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

Texas Republicans have approved a controversial new electoral map that could cement Donald Trump’s power in Congress, carving out five new GOP-leaning seats ahead of next year’s US midterm elections.

Texas approves new electoral map, adds five GOP seats to lock in Trump’s grip on Congress Texas Republicans early on Saturday (Aug 23) approved a controversial new electoral map that is set to help US President Donald Trump's political ambitions. The new map carves out five new Republican-leaning seats and would aid the Republican Party in retaining control of Congress ahead of next year's US midterm elections. The state Senate passed the bill 18-11 along party lines shortly after midnight, capping more than eight hours of fierce debate. While Democrats had hoped that a filibuster would help delay the vote, it was overtaken in a move being slammed as "disgraceful" and as something that does not belong in a democracy. Also read | 'Just Dance Vance': Newsom taunts Trump's VP JD Vance with new nickname, says 'Not even his eyeliner lines…' What happened? In the early hours of Saturday, Texas's state Senate passed the new electoral map with 18-11 votes. Last week, the bill was adopted by the state's lower legislature. Reports suggest that Democrats were hoping that Senator Carol Alvarado's filibuster could delay the vote. However, Republicans abruptly shut it down with a rare procedural manoeuvre — something Democratic Senator Sarah Eckhardt later blasted as "unprecedented" and "disgraceful." As per AFP, using a rare procedural motion, Republicans proceeded directly to the final vote. Slamming the move on X, Eckhardt said, "This is not democracy, this is disgraceful". The map now heads to Governor Greg Abbott, who is expected to sign it into law within days.

<p>Texas Republicans have approved a controversial new electoral map that could cement Donald Trump’s power in Congress, carving out five new GOP-leaning seats ahead of next year’s US midterm elections.</p>

'This is not democracy': Texas Republicans crush Filibuster, pass new map handing Trump big boost ahead of 2026 midterm elections

In a dramatic escalation of political tensions, Senator John Cornyn says the FBI has agreed to assist in locating over 50 Texas Democratic lawmakers who fled the state to block a controversial redistricting vote. The lawmakers' coordinated walkout denied Republicans the quorum needed to move forward with redrawing Texas’ 38 congressional districts—an effort closely aligned with President Donald Trump.


Texas Redistricting Plan: Democrats Return to Texas, Vow to Take Redistricting Battle to Court | WION

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Texas and California redistricting 2025: Gerrymandering battles intensify ahead of US 2026 midterm elections - What's the row?

Texas Republicans pass new map handing Trump big boost ahead of 2026 midterms

Texas Redistricting Plan: Democrats Return to Texas, Vow to Take Redistricting Battle to Court | WION