Story perspectives

Supreme Court shakeup fuels redistricting battle before 2026

6/16/2026

Summary

Story summary

The United States faces a redistricting arms race before the 2026 midterms, with Texas beginning early redistricting last year as Republicans chase a House edge.
California voters approved a fall measure to scrap the independent commission for 2026, while Virginia’s Democrat-friendly map was blocked by the state Supreme Court in May.
The U.S. Supreme Court altered voting-rights rules by removing majority-minority districts, opening Southern states to new maps.

History

Historical Context

After the Supreme Court’s 5-4 June 25 2013 decision in Shelby County v. Holder struck down the Voting Rights Act’s coverage formula, preclearance vanished for 19 Southern states, including Texas and Alabama. Freed from federal review, states accelerated partisan redistricting; Texas Republicans now begin 2026 maps while California voters push to dissolve its independent commission, echoing the post-Shelby surge in map battles.

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Story summary

The United States faces a redistricting arms race before the 2026 midterms, with Texas beginning early redistricting last year as Republicans chase a House edge.
California voters approved a fall measure to scrap the independent commission for 2026, while Virginia’s Democrat-friendly map was blocked by the state Supreme Court in May.
The U.S. Supreme Court altered voting-rights rules by removing majority-minority districts, opening Southern states to new maps.

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