Episode 18: 2026 Redistricting Refresher, with Nathaniel Rakich from Votebeat

Mid-decade redistricting could be a wildfire that keeps burning and just won’t go out. Six states have already implemented new maps, either via newly-passed laws or court action. But seven other states — and perhaps more — have at least some chance of drawing new lines ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Much depends on various contingencies, including the passage of a constitutional amendment by voters in Virginia and the potential timing of a decision from the U.S. Supreme Court dismantling the Voting Rights Act as we know it. And beyond 2026, politicians and activists in many states, such as Republicans in Utah and Democrats in Colorado, are already making moves with an eye on redistricting in 2028. Decision Desk HQ Chief Elections Analyst Geoffrey Skelley was joined by Nathaniel Rakich, the managing editor at Votebeat, to examine the ins and outs of redistricting. They looked at the overall redistricting picture and the range of potential outcomes from the lines implemented so far. They then provided an overview of the states that could join the redistricting fray, including Virginia and Florida. From there, they zoomed in on the potential remaps in the Democratic-controlled states of Virginia and Maryland. They then talked about how referendums could play into redistricting beyond Virginia. This includes a GOP-backed effort in Utah to repeal the state’s redistricting rules with an eye on another new map in 2028, a citizen veto measure in Missouri to block Republican-passed legislation to establish a new map for 2026, and a push by Colorado Democrats to override the state’s independent redistricting commission and implement a Democratic gerrymander in 2028. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit decisiondeskhq.substack.com