August 19, 2025

It was another busy week for democracy. The gerrymandering saga continued in Texas and California released its proposed map to fight back. Other states, both red and blue, continue to explore what they may want to do to change maps in advance of 2026. 

Donald Trump continues to expand his deployment of the national guard and federal law enforcement and issue unhinged social media posts.

Meanwhile, as the fate of the Voting Rights Act hangs in the balance in the Supreme Court, the 5th Circuit declared the Louisiana legislative map illegal under the VRA. 

We had some wins this week. You had some questions. I have some answers. 

Now let’s get into it.

Q: Are other blue states trying to redistrict like California?  The 2026 midterm elections are around the corner.  How much time does it take to get all procedures and consents in place to get maps for redistricting in place to affect an increase in Democratic seats?

— Ella Mae

A: New York, Maryland and Illinois are also looking at redistricting. While Gov. Kathy Hochul said she’s looking into legal strategies to move forward with the process, the New York State process is a complicated and messy one that could make changing the map difficult until 2027 — too late for the midterm elections. 

While Illinois and Maryland have an easier way forward for mid-cycle redistricting, there are fewer potential seats for Democratic to pick up. The door isn’t closed for any of them — or for the handful of other Democratic controlled states. This is an all-hands-on deck situation, and we must be united.