Mid-Decade Redistricting Moves Forward in Louisiana and Virginia Amid Political Tensions

Mon Dec 01 2025 00:29:30 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Republican lawmakers in Louisiana and Democrats in Virginia are advancing proposals for mid-decade redistricting as part of a national strategy to secure congressional advantages for the upcoming elections.

As the congressional elections approach, Louisiana's Republican lawmakers have delayed the state's primary elections to potentially redraw congressional maps pending a Supreme Court ruling. Meanwhile, Virginia Democrats are considering a constitutional amendment to change district boundaries in response to similar efforts in other states. This redistricting effort is part of a larger national political strategy, influenced by calls from President Trump for Republican-led states to redraw maps in their favor before the elections.

Republican lawmakers in Louisiana and Democrats in Virginia pressed ahead Wednesday with plans that could allow mid-decade redistricting as part of a growing national battle for partisan advantage in next year’s congressional elections.

Louisiana lawmakers passed legislation pushing back the state’s 2026 primary elections by a month — a move that could give lawmakers extra time to redraw the state’s U.S. House districts if the Supreme Court strikes down the current boundaries. Meanwhile, Virginia lawmakers were considering a proposed constitutional amendment that, if approved by voters, would allow lawmakers to temporarily bypass a bipartisan redistricting commission and redraw congressional districts in response to similar efforts in other states.

President Donald Trump triggered a redistricting fray this summer by calling upon Republican-led states to take the unusual step of redrawing U.S. House districts to their advantage ahead of the midterm elections. Redistricting typically occurs once a decade, immediately after a census. But Trump hopes that redistricting now can help Republicans in next year’s midterm elections hold on to the House, where Democrats need to gain just three seats to win control and impede Trump’s agenda.

Republicans in Texas, Missouri, and North Carolina already have revised districts at Trump’s urging, and Republican-led Indiana is set to address redistricting in a special legislative session soon. So far, California is the only Democratic-led state to counter with a new congressional map, which is set for a special election.

Louisiana delays elections for potential redistricting

Legislation delaying Louisiana’s congressional primary from April 18 to May 16 passed along party lines Wednesday during a special session and is expected to be signed into law by Republican Gov. Jeff Landry. This adjustment is in anticipation of a Supreme Court ruling in a potentially far-reaching redistricting case regarding the state’s congressional map.

Proponents of the current map argue it ensures fair representation for Black residents, who make up one-third of the population. However, some opponents claim that the state's second Black majority district was unconstitutionally gerrymandered based on race. The Supreme Court's conservative justices seem inclined to overturn these boundaries, though the timing of their ruling remains uncertain.

Virginia Democrats eye a path to more House seats

In Virginia, Democrats hold a narrow edge in the U.S. House delegation and are exploring ways to expand this advantage through potential redistricting. Despite a constitutional amendment that requires a bipartisan commission for drawing districts, the Virginia House is assessing a measure that would allow lawmakers to redraw congressional maps. Approval of the amendment requires passage in two distinct legislative sessions before it can be placed on the statewide ballot.

Maryland and Illinois weigh redistricting risks

In Maryland, Democratic Senate President Bill Ferguson has expressed hesitance towards advancing redistricting, considering the risk of retaliatory measures from Republicans. Meanwhile, Illinois lawmakers are facing pressure from national Democratic leaders to consider new district boundaries, although concerns about the representation of Black voters may stall these efforts further.