In the United States, all states with multiple congressional districts are required to revise their district maps following each decennial census to account for population changes. In 2026, most states will use the same districts created in the redistricting cycle following the 2020 census, which were first used in the 2022 elections. However, maps have changed or would change in several states, often due to legal challenges made based on partisan or racial gerrymandering.
Summary of mid-decade changes to congressional districts in advance of the 2026 election cycle
In the case Christian Ministerial Alliance v. Thurston, the plaintiffs alleged racial gerrymandering diluting the voting power of black voters by splitting Little Rock into three districts; the case was heard in a federal district court and is scheduled for a bench trial beginning March 24, 2025.
A state circuit judge ruled in September 2023 that the map passed by the state legislature discriminated against Black voters by redrawing the formerly plurality-Black 5th district to no longer have a Black plurality; Florida appealed this ruling and the map was reinstated by an appeals court. The case was heard by the Florida Supreme Court and a decision from the court has yet to be released.
A federal district judge ruled on October 26, 2023, that Georgia's districts are racially gerrymandered and ordered a new map with an additional majority-Black district. A new map was drawn for the 2024 elections; however it is being appealed to a district court which will hear oral arguments in 2025.
Ohio voters amended the constitution in 2018, creating a process that requires both Republicans and Democrats in the state legislature to vote on the new congressional map. However, in the 2020 redistricting cycle, Democrats did not back a Republican proposal, leading to a new map having to be drawn in 2025.
Utah Supreme Court heard arguments in July 2023 in suit alleging that the Utah Legislature violated a citizen-passed anti-gerrymandering proposition by dividing Salt Lake County voters into all 4 of Utah's districts, the Supreme Court sent the case back to a district where litigation is still pending.
^Solender, Andrew (December 12, 2024). "GOP Rep. Ciscomani passes on run for Arizona governor". Axios. Retrieved December 12, 2024. Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.) will run for reelection to Congress rather than mount a bid for governor in 2026, his campaign spokesperson told Axios.
^Adragna, Anthony (December 17, 2024). "Moskowitz brushes aside FEMA reports". Politico. Retrieved December 17, 2024. 'I am staying in Congress and running for re-election,' Moskowitz (D-Fla.) said
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