Redistricting prepares Texas for 2026 Elections

Written By Madilyn Coyne

Texas’ new political maps will be used for the first time in the 2026 elections, setting up a test of voter turnout, competitiveness, and representation across the state.

On August 20, the Texas House passed House Bill 4, a plan to redraw congressional districts. Two days later, the Senate approved the bill, and Governor Greg Abbott signed it into law on August 29. The mid-cycle redistricting effort received national attention, with President Donald Trump encouraging Texas Republicans to move forward, hoping the changes could help the party gain as many as five additional U.S. House seats.


Redistricting is the process of redrawing district boundaries to reflect population shifts recorded in the census. It usually occurs once every 10 years after the census is completed, but Texas has pursued mid-decade redistricting before - most recently in 2003.

Lawmakers argue that new maps are needed to account for legal challenges and changing political realities, according to the Texas Legislative Council. Scholars at the Harvard Kennedy School note that while mid-decade adjustments are permitted under Supreme Court precedent, frequent changes can confuse voters and depress turnout.

Supporters of the proposal, including Republican lawmakers, say the new maps provide stability and ensure rural voters are not overshadowed by urban growth, according to the Texas Legislative Council. Critics contend the boundaries reduce competitiveness and discourage participation, a concern highlighted by research from Loyola Law School’s Redistricting Project.

Brandon Rottinghaus, a political science professor at the University of Houston, said redistricting is a common but complicated process, noting that partisan conflict makes the process especially difficult.

Joshua Cloudy, a communication researcher at the University of Georgia, said many voters have little understanding of the process. “I think redistricting and electoral maps are complicated, so I think most individual people, voters, citizens, don’t have a great concept of it,” he said.

Robert Ricketts, treasurer of the Lubbock County Democratic Party and a retired Texas Tech professor, said redistricting damages democracy over time. Ricketts predicted the maps would “motivate Democratic turnout more than Republican turnout in 2026.”

Texas isn’t the only state where redistricting debates are intensifying. California, New York, and Missouri are also considering map changes. In California, Governor Gavin Newsom has said he would consider mid-cycle redistricting in response to what he described as “hyper-partisan” mapping efforts elsewhere.

The national conversation highlights how Texas’ actions are influencing both parties beyond its borders. Rottinghaus said Texas has “lit the fire” for states considering similar steps.

Most states update their maps once a decade, but Texas’ decision to redraw them mid-cycle reflects ongoing court challenges to previous maps and Republican efforts to strengthen their representation by securing as many as five additional congressional seats.

For now, lawsuits challenging Texas’ new maps are still moving through the courts. Scholars at the Harvard Kennedy School note that the judiciary could allow the 2026 elections to proceed under the current lines and revisit them later, or adjust the election calendar if necessary.

The broader question is what the changes mean for voters. Ricketts said Democrats are concerned about turnout. Rottinghaus expects more interest than a typical midterm. “Competitive down-ballot races can ‘juice’ turnout at the top of the ticket,” he said.

The 2026 elections will include all 38 Texas congressional seats, a U.S. Senate race, and the governor’s contest. Beyond deciding winners and losers, the outcome will test whether Texas’ maps strengthen voter confidence or fuel further debate over how districts should be drawn.

Interviews

  • Ricketts, R. (2025, September 20). In-person interview with Madilyn Coyne. Treasurer, Lubbock County Democratic Party; retired professor, Texas Tech University.

  • Rottinghaus, B. (2025, September 20). Phone interview with Madilyn Coyne. Professor of Political Science, University of Houston.

  • Cloudy, J. (2025, September 23). Phone interview with Madilyn Coyne. Communication researcher, University of Georgia.

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Madilyn Coyne
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