Maryland's sole Republican congressman issues a warning about redistricting potentially severing the entire state's ties with the White House
The current redistricting battles in the U.S. are intense and politically charged, particularly in Texas, California, Maryland, and New York.
Texas is experiencing a fierce standoff. The Texas Senate, controlled by Republicans, approved a new congressional map expected to add five GOP seats in Congress. However, the Texas House Democrats have stalled the redistricting by leaving the state, causing a quorum break that blocks the House from voting. The GOP threatens to call multiple special sessions to force the process forward, while Democrats call the map unconstitutional and part of a political power grab.
California is actively mobilizing an emergency response via a special election to counter Texas’s Republican-led redistricting efforts. California's Governor Gavin Newsom proposes to override California’s independent redistricting commission to enact an emergency, transparent measure that could add five seats with voter consent. This bid is framed as a contrast to Texas’s approach and part of a broader strategy to preserve Democratic influence.
Maryland and New York are less prominently featured in the latest updates, but historically, both states have seen contentious redistricting efforts often involving judicial challenges and political disputes over district lines. As of the latest information, no major new controversy equal to Texas or California’s battles has been highlighted, suggesting more stable or established processes there. However, ongoing court challenges or legislative debates are common in these states due to their political diversity and stakes in congressional representation.
In Maryland, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore's office stated that the Democratic leader will continue to evaluate all options regarding redistricting. Rep. Andy Harris, R-Md., warned that Maryland could lose its main connection to the White House if Democrats there redraw district lines. Harris stated that if undocumented immigrants were not counted in the census, there would be fewer Democrats in the House of Representatives (approximately 10 to 15 fewer).
Meanwhile, in Alabama, a court-approved map with two majority-Black districts, both of which are currently represented by Democrats, was adopted due to a lengthy court battle over violating the 1965 Voting Rights Act.
The fight over redistricting has spilled over to a number of other states, particularly those with lopsided congressional representation, like Maryland. Democratic strongholds California and New York have threatened to make their own changes in response to redistricting, bypassing independent redistricting commissions in both states.
Follow Elizabeth Elkind on Twitter at @liz_elkind and send tips to [email protected] for the latest updates on this developing story. Elizabeth Elkind is a politics reporter for our website, focusing on the House of Representatives. Rep. Andy Harris, R-Md., argued that Democrats started the discussion about mid-cycle redistricting, while former Democratic advisor Dan Turrentine argued that the Democratic Party's rhetoric on redistricting efforts by the GOP is getting "a little out of control."
[1] Texas House Democrats Leave State to Block Redistricting [2] GOP Threatens Special Sessions to Force Texas Redistricting [3] California Gov. Newsom Proposes Special Election for Redistricting [4] Maryland Governor's Office Evaluating Redistricting Options [5] California's Plan to Add Five Seats to Counter Texas' Redistricting Efforts
[1] The current politics in Texas are highly contentious, with the Texas Senate, primarily Republican, approving a new congressional map expected to add five GOP seats in Congress. However, the Texas House Democrats have stalled the redistricting process, leaving the state to break the quorum and block voting.
[5] In contrast, California's Governor Gavin Newsom proposes to override California's independent redistricting commission to enact an emergency, transparent measure that could add five seats with voter consent, a response to Texas's Republican-led redistricting efforts.
