As of September 2025, a total of 28 representatives (10 Democrats and 18 Republicans) have announced their retirement, 20 of whom (5 Democrats and 15 Republicans) are retiring to run for other offices.
States which have undergone mid-decade redistricting prior to the 2026 elections. Stripes indicate states where redistricting is anticipated but not finalized.
Voluntary redistricting
Court-ordered/mandatory redistricting
Redistricting rejected by courts
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.
As of August 2025, several states have seen challenges to their congressional district maps that were put in place during the redistricting cycle brought upon by the results of the 2020 census. In Arkansas, a federal court dismissed a case against their congressional map that argued did not comply with the Voting Rights Act.[32] Similarly, the Florida Supreme Court also dismissed a challenge regarding the Florida's congressional map, finding a new plurality-Black congressional district would be against federal law.[33] In Georgia, litigation is still ongoing regarding appeals to the newly drawn congressional map that was used in the 2024 elections.[34] In Louisiana, plaintiffs argued that the new congressional map put in place for 2024 that had two majority-Black congressional districts was a racial gerrymander, and the U.S. Supreme Court has ordered re-arguments for the case. A decision is not expected until 2026, keeping the map in place for the 2026 elections.[35] In South Carolina, the South Carolina Supreme Court heard arguments in June 2025 as to whether the congressional maps are an unlawful partisan gerrymander in violation of the state's constitution.[36] On September 17, the court ruled that partisan gerrymandering is not in violation of the state's constitution, repeatedly referencing the 2019 Supreme Court of the United States case Rucho v. Common Cause.[37] In Texas, a trial was held in federal court in El Paso to determine whether its congressional map discriminated against Black and Latino voters in violation of the VRA.[38] The case had been paused pending expected new maps in the state,[39] and on August 27, the court scheduled a preliminary injunction hearing to begin on October 1 for said maps.[40] In Utah, a partisan gerrymander case is being heard in a state district district court after the Utah Supreme Court sided with the plaintiffs, and a ruling in August 2025 threw out the state's congressional districts and ordered new maps be drawn before September 24.[41] In Wisconsin, a challenge to the state's current congressional map arguing it as an unlawful partisan gerrymander was dismissed by the Wisconsin Supreme Court.[42]
Out-of-cycle partisan redistricting efforts
Governor Greg Abbott has called a special session in Texas to redraw the states congressional districts in order to draw up to 5 more Republican leaning seats at the request of President Donald Trump.[43] After Texas House Democrats staged a weeks-long walkout, the Texas Legislature passed the new maps on August 23, with Governor Abbott signing it into law on August 29.[44] Similarly, a new map is required in Ohio due to an amendment[which?] to the state's constitution. Republicans control the state legislature and could draw up to 3 Republican districts in a new map even though the constitutional amendment[which?] requires that Republicans and Democrats in the state legislature vote on the new congressional map.[45]Governor Ron DeSantis has expressed interest in redrawing Florida's congressional map, and the Florida House has created a special redistricting committee.[46]Governor Mike Kehoe of Missouri called a special session on August 29, 2025, for the legislature to consider a map that would transform the solid Democratic 5th district to a solid Republican district, allowing the GOP to pick up a seat.[47] Republican efforts have also grown for redistricting in Indiana, targeting one Democratic seat in the state.[48] Talks about redistricting have also occurred in Nebraska which currently has 2 safe republican and one competitive district that is currently represented by Republican Don Bacon who is retiring and is not running in the 2026 election.[49] However, In New Hampshire, Governor Kelly Ayotte has ruled out redistricting the congressional lines which are currently represented by 2 Democrats.[50]
Democrats have threatened to retaliate against attempts to mid-decade redistrict for partisan gain and have stated the possibility of redrawing the congressional maps in blue states. In California, the state legislature has drafted a map eliminating 5 Republican districts to combat Texas' plan, but it would have to be approved in a special election to amend the state constitution.[51] Democratic governors JB Pritzker of Illinois and Wes Moore of Maryland have also kept the possibility of redrawing their states' congressional districts, although the efficacy would be debatable.[52] Redistricting has also been considered in New Jersey and New York; however, legal and political challenges make redistricting before 2026 highly unlikely.[53][54]
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 the panel ruled it did not constitute a racial gerrymander and dismissed the case.
In response to Texas, a new map is being considered in California that would create five new Democratic seats and shore up existing Democratic seats. However, due to the state's independent commission, the map would be on a 2025 referendum passed by two-thirds of the legislature and would be voted on for the new districts to take place.
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. On July 17, 2025, the Florida Supreme Court ruled 5–1 to keep the current maps in place, finding that creating a plurality-Black congressional district would violate the federal Equal Protection Clause.
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 the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, which heard arguments on May 15, 2025.
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments challenging Louisiana's new congressional map drawn in 2024 which created another majority-Black congressional districts as a group of "non-African American voters" challenge the map as a racial gerrymander. The Supreme Court ordered re-arguments of the case and is ruling is expected in the term, keeping the current map in place for the 2026 elections.
The Missouri Legislature has passed maps to create a new safe Republican seat in the 5th congressional district, pending the signature of governor Mike Kehoe. The maps may be blocked by a referendum if enough signatures are gathered.
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.
In the case League of United Latin American Citizens v. Abbott, a trial was from May through June 2025 in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas as to whether or not the congressional districts passed by the state legislature discriminated against Black and Latino voters in violation of the Voting Rights Act. The case had been paused pending new maps, and on August 27, the court scheduled a preliminary injunction hearing to begin on October 1 for said maps.
In early 2025, reports that the Trump Administration were urging Texas officials to visit redrawing congressional districts. This was followed by a meeting of the Texas Republican congressional delegation to discuss mid-decade redistricting to secure extra Republican seats. On July 9, Governor Greg Abbott officially added redistricting to legislative priorities of a special session set to be held later that month, with the goal of creating 5 new Republican seats. After Texas House Democrats staged a weeks-long walkout, the Texas Legislature passed the new maps on August 23, with Governor Abbott signing it into law on August 29.
The Utah Supreme Court heard arguments in July 2023 in League of Women Voters v. Utah State Legislature alleging that the Utah Legislature violated a citizen-passed anti-gerrymandering proposition by dividing Salt Lake County voters into all four of Utah's districts. The case was sent back to a state district court, which held a hearing on January 31, 2025. A ruling was issued on August 25, and new maps are expected to be drawn up by the Legislature by September 24 and finalized by November.
On May 8, 2025, a lawsuit challenging the state's congressional districts was filed in the Wisconsin Supreme Court based on partisan gerrymandering favoring Republicans. On June 25, 2025, the Court dismissed the challenge.
1 2 Green was first elected to a previous, Democratic, version of this district which Harris won by 44.0 points in 2024, but it was redrawn to be Republican-leaning in 2025 by the Texas state legislature.
1 2 Cuellar was elected to a previous, competitive, version of this district which Trump only won by 7.3 points in 2024, but it was redrawn to be firmly Republican-leaning in 2025 by the Texas state legislature.
1 2 Johnson was first elected to a previous, Democratic, version of this district which Harris won by 23.6 points in 2024, but it was redrawn to be Republican-leaning in 2025 by the Texas state legislature.
1 2 Gonzalez was elected to a previous, competitive, version of this district which Trump only won by 4.4 points in 2024, but it was redrawn to be firmly Republican-leaning in 2025 by the Texas state legislature.
1 2 Casar was first elected to a previous, Democratic, version of this district which Harris won by 33.5 points in 2024, but it was redrawn to be Republican-leaning in 2025 by the Texas state legislature.
↑ Competitive seats are defined as seats won by less than 10 points by their respective party in 2024
↑ Van Drew was first elected as a Democrat but switched to the Republican Party in December 2019.
↑ Rep. Mark Green (R) resigned on July 20, 2025.[601] A special election will be held on December 2, 2025.
↑ Rep. Sylvester Turner (D) died on March 5, 2025.[618] A special election will be held on November 4, 2025.
↑ 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.
↑ Altimari, Daniela (April 22, 2025). "Democrats eye 2026 as best chance to finally unseat Rep. Young Kim". Roll Call. Retrieved April 27, 2025. The Democratic contenders include 2024 nominee Joe Kerr, a career firefighter and labor union leader who lost to Kim by more than 10 points; Christina Gagnier, an attorney and former member of the Chino Valley school board; art dealer Esther Kim Varet; and Paula Swift, a consultant with a doctorate in education.
↑ 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
↑ Bluestein, Greg; Mitchell, Tia; Murphy, Patricia; Beam, Adam (January 22, 2025). "Emanuel Jones to challenge David Scott for Atlanta-area congressional seat". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved January 22, 2025. Jones, a Democratic state senator, says he will run for the seat even if the 79-year-old Scott does not retire.
↑ Svirnovskiy, Gregory (July 29, 2025). "MTG not running for Georgia governor". Politico. Retrieved July 29, 2025. Instead, Greene assailed Georgia's GOP leadership and chalked up her decision to remain in the House to what she termed "a very established 'men only' Republican firm" that is overseeing the state's "slow slide from red to blue."
↑ Crockett, Caleb (March 4, 2025). "Protesters mach at state house once more in opposition to Trump". The Statehouse File. Retrieved June 15, 2025. Jackson Franklin, 25, has launched a challenge to Republican Rep. Victoria Sparks for Indiana's fifth congressional district.
↑ Mutnick, Ally; Schneider, Elena; Wren, Adam (April 9, 2025). "Democrats begin to confront their age problem in primary campaigns". Politico. Retrieved April 9, 2025. And on Wednesday, George Hornedo, a 34-year-old who went viral on TikTok for his comments about a "party elder" discouraging him from mounting a Democratic primary bid in Indiana, announced he is running against eighth-term Democratic Rep. Andre Carson.
↑ Badeaux, Lilianna (March 20, 2025). "Congressman Clay Higgins announced he will not run for Senator in 2026". KLFY.com. Retrieved April 11, 2025. Many expected Congressman Clay Higgins would campaign for this position but earlier today, Higgins released a statement where he expressed his intent to stay in the House.
↑ Friedman, Matt (August 24, 2025). "1 party has a New Jersey recruitment bonanza. The other … not so much". Politico. Retrieved August 24, 2025. In addition to Bennett, the 7th District field includes: Tina Shah, a medical doctor; Michael Roth, a former top official at the Small Business Administration; businessman Brian Varela; former Summit councilmember Greg Vartan; criminal justice professor Beth Adubato; attorney Valentina Mendoza; and little-known Michael Garth.
↑ Booker, Brakkton; Coltin, Jeff; Gardiner, Dustin; Mason, Melanie; Schneider, Elena (August 2, 2025). "Kamala Harris has misgivings about government. Some Dems have misgivings about her". Politico. Retrieved August 2, 2025. Democratic Rep. Laura Gillen, a first-year member who flipped a seat on Long Island, will not be inviting Harris to visit her district next year as she defends her seat, said a Democratic operative familiar with the Gillen campaign who was granted anonymity to speak about a leader in the party.
1 2 3 4 "Rowan Shows Up: Town Hall Recap". Rowan County Democrats (Press release). May 21, 2025. Retrieved May 21, 2025. We've gathered all of the candidate speeches in one place for you – speakers included Wiley Nickel (running for US Senate), Alysa Kassay and Beau Blair (CD06), Justin Dues (CD08), Nigel Bristow (CD09), Ashley Bell (CD10), and Adrian Maldonado (Salisbury City Council)!
↑ Pellish, Aaron (July 1, 2025). "Hudson rules out bid to replace Tillis". Politico. Retrieved July 1, 2025. "However, my focus remains on representing the people of the 9th district —- including the incredible men and women at Ft Bragg and their families — and on growing the House majority as NRCC Chairman."
↑ Mccarthy, Mia; Kashinsky, Lisa (April 25, 2025). "Dems' megabill battle plans". Politico. Retrieved April 25, 2025. Alea Nadeem, a Republican Air Force veteran, is challenging longtime Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur in Ohio.
↑ Matheson, James (June 20, 2025). "Co-founder of organization fighting USNA ,nization-combatting-usna-book-removal-running-for-congress/". The Baltimore Sun.
↑ Choi, Matthew (March 17, 2025). "National Republicans target South Texas Democrats for 2026 election". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved March 17, 2025. My constituents care about results, not NRCC target lists," Cuellar said in a statement on Monday. [..] "I look forward to another successful re-election.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
