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How redistricting is shaping the 2026 midterms
WYFF • • nation
Key Points:
- Redistricting, the decennial process of redrawing congressional district boundaries based on census data, has seen mid-decade changes in nine states ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, affecting millions of voters.
- Both Democrats and Republicans targeted specific districts to gain advantages, with Texas and California leading efforts to redraw boundaries favoring their respective parties.
- Overall, 15 districts were redrawn to potentially favor Republicans and six to favor Democrats, resulting in a net gain of nine districts favoring Republicans in the U.S. House.
- More than 34 million Americans, about one in ten, have been reassigned to new congressional districts, with Utah having the highest share at over 69%, following court-ordered redistricting due to anti-gerrymandering law violations.
- Some districts previously considered toss-ups or leaning Democratic, such as Ohio’s 1st congressional district, have shifted in their political ratings, reflecting the impact of the new district boundaries.
