Maps show how Virginia, Texas, California, Missouri, North Carolina and Utah redistricting could affect congressional seats

Several states undertook mid-decade redistricting efforts to try to alter the makeup of their congressional delegations this year, after President Trump began last summer to press Republican-led states to increase the number of GOP-friendly districts to help his party hold the House in next year's midterm elections. Congressional maps are normally redrawn every 10 years after the U.S. Census reveals population shifts. But this rare mid-decade redistricting push was kicked off as Republicans seek to maintain — or even expand — their razor-thin majority in Congress in the 2026 midterm elections. Historically speaking, midterms are often a rebuke of the party in the White House. Democrats followed in California and Virginia. Virginia became the latest state to shake up its congressional map ahead of the 2026 election, with voters on April 21 approving a map created by the Democratic leadership that could help their party pick up as many as four seats in November. The new districts could result in up to 10 Democratic representatives and a sole Republican district. Texas was the first to kick off the gerrymandering push, when Gov. Greg Abbott signed legislation in August to redraw the districts and create five GOP-friendly seats. In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom, in turn, launched an effort to redraw his state's map to help Democrats. In November, the plan was approved by voters by a 29-point margin . …