An unprecedented number of states are considering redrawing their congressional district lines mid-decade. Some warn this could lead to "dummymandering," where efforts to stretch partisan advantage might backfire. Nebraska is among the states where mid-decade redistricting has been floated. The focus is on the Omaha-based 2nd Congressional District, which is considered vulnerable for Republicans. Some Republicans in states considering mid-decade redistricting are hesitant, fearing it could make other districts more susceptible to loss. Concerns about overreaching haven't stopped the push for redistricting, but Nebraska faces challenges, including a lack of legislative support.
The Supreme Court appears ready to gut a key tool of the Voting Rights Act that's helped root out racial discrimination in voting for more than a half century. Such a change would boost Republican electoral prospects, particularly across the South. During 2 1/2 hours of arguments Wednesday, the court's six conservative justices seemed inclined to effectively strike down a Black majority congressional district in Louisiana because it relied too heavily on race. If that is the outcome, it would mark a fundamental change in the 1965 voting rights law that was the centerpiece legislation of the Civil Rights Movement. The court is expected to rule by early summer in 2026.
Supervisor Jackie Speier would normally like to avoid endorsing a partisan state proposition as the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, but…
Missouri's Republican-led House has passed a plan to redraw the state's congressional districts at the urging of President Donald Trump. The plan approved Tuesday now moves to the state Senate and could give Republicans a shot at winning almost all of Missouri's U.S. House seats. The mid-decade redistricting is part of an emerging national trend, following similar efforts in Republican-led Texas and Democratic-led California. Missouri's plan targets a Kansas City district held by a Democratic congressman by stretching it into rural Republican areas and reducing its minority voters. The Missouri NAACP has sued to try to stop the special legislative session.
Congressman Kevin Mullin is hopeful. I was glad to hear that given how I felt much of the day before I asked him a few questions for this column.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Friday signed into law a new congressional voting map designed to help Republicans gain more seats in the 2026 midterm elections, delivering a win for President Donald Trump and his desire to hold on to a slim GOP majority in the U.S. House. The Texas maps drafted in rare mid-decade redistricting have prompted a gerrymandering tug-of-war for voters with Democrats in states across the country. Outnumbered Democrats tried in vain to stop the Texas vote. At one point, they staged a two-week walkout. Democrats have vowed to challenge the new map in court.
