Behind the lines: How mid-decade redistricting is playing out

What this episode covers

President Donald Trump is still pushing Republican-led states to redistrict their congressional maps to help the GOP maintain control of the House of Representatives after the 2026 midterm elections. It led to an unusual burst of mid-decade redistricting in some states, such as Texas and North Carolina that have passed new maps increasing a GOP advantage. Democratic-led states California and Virginia are pushing for redraws of their congressional maps to counter them. Meanwhile, Maryland state legislators are at an impasse on whether to change their maps, after a House-approved redistricting plan got stalled in the Senate.  In Episode 15, Maryland Matters reporter Bryan Sears will break down on what’s going on in Annapolis.  Over in Alabama, they’ve enacted new state Senate maps drawn by an unexpected mapmaker — a college freshman. You’ll meet Daniel DiDonato, a student at the University of Alabama and a cartographer.  Finally, Evening Wrap newsletter author Danielle Gaines shares the top stories she’s watching. Episode produced and edited by Mallory Cheng. Music for Stories From The States composed by David Singer.  Click here for the full transcript:  Relevant reading from States Newsroom outlets and partners:  Utah’s redistricting fight heads to federal court; anti-gerrymandering plaintiffs ask to intervene (Utah Dispatch) Judge to decide whether Missouri’s gerrymandered congressional map is in effect (Missouri Independent)  University of Alabama freshman draws state’s court-ordered Senate map (Alabama Reflector) Redistricting bill sails through House, faces troubled waters in the Senate (Maryland Matters) Virginia Democrats release long-awaited 10–1 congressional map (Virginia Mercury) Got questions? An episode idea? Email us at [email protected] Photo: Daniel DiDonato, an 18-year-old student at the University of Alabama, working on a state Senate district map in a common study area in Martha Parham Hall in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. DiDonato created the map that a federal judge ordered to be implemented for Alabama's 2026 and 2030 elections after ruling that the Montgomery-area districts violated Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. (Anna Barrett/Alabama Reflector)