Feb 21, 2026 · legislative
Republicans in five states launch mid-decade redistricting wave before 2026
By February 2026, Republicans in five states had enacted mid-decade congressional redistricting maps outside the normal post-census cycle, breaking a longstanding norm against redrawing maps mid-decade. Texas signed new maps in August 2025, Missouri and North Carolina followed in fall 2025, Ohio approved a bipartisan map in October 2025, and Florida completed a special-session redraw in April 2026. The wave was orchestrated with White House support and designed to add Republican-leaning seats ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Feb 1, 2026 · legislative
Missouri Legislature puts abortion rights repeal on 2026 ballot
Missouri Republican legislators approved a ballot measure that would repeal Amendment 3 — the abortion rights amendment Missouri voters passed in November 2024 — and place a new ban on most abortions on the November 2026 ballot. The measure would prohibit abortion except in medical emergencies, fetal anomaly, or rape and incest before 12 weeks, and require parental consent for minors. A Cole County judge ordered ballot language updated to disclose the repeal effect after an ACLU lawsuit.
Dec 1, 2025 · legislative
NC, Missouri, and Florida File New Congressional Maps as Virginia and Maryland Eye Redistricting
By December 2025, North Carolina enacted a new GOP-favored congressional map (October), Missouri signed its map into law (September 28), and Florida announced a special redistricting session. Virginia's General Assembly passed a constitutional amendment enabling redistricting, and Maryland Governor Wes Moore formed a redistricting advisory commission. All five states responded to a Republican-led national strategy to redraw House maps ahead of 2026 midterms.
Sep 28, 2025 · political
Missouri Gov. Kehoe signs mid-decade congressional map targeting Rep. Emanuel Cleaver
Missouri Gov. Mike Braun signs a new congressional map on September 28, 2025, following a special session called by Gov. Mike Kehoe in August at the request of the Trump administration. The new map redraws the Kansas City-based district currently held by Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, placing the congressman into a significantly more Republican-leaning district. Vice President JD Vance visited Missouri legislators in the weeks before the session to lobby for the redistricting effort. The map faces multiple lawsuits and a citizens' initiative ballot measure that could suspend its implementation before the 2026 elections.