What is gerrymandering, and why does Trump want to redistrict certain states?

Over the weekend, the Texas state senate passed a bill along partisan lines giving the green light for redistricting that will give an advantage to the Republican majority, possibly setting off a domino effect of blue and red states that will rearrange maps according to state party majorities.

"The One Big Beautiful Map has passed the Senate and is on its way to my desk, where it will be swiftly signed into law," said Texas Governor Greg Abbot in a public statement following the bill's passage. "I promised we would get this done, and delivered on that promise. I thank Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick for leading the passage in the Senate of a bill that ensures our maps reflect Texans' voting preferences."

Earlier this month, the subject of gerrymandering came to the forefront when US President Donald Trump announced that the state of Texas would be redistricted to give an advantage to Republicans in the 2026 midterm elections, which until recently the Democrats had been expected to win. Redistricting typically happens every 10 years following the census, making this a highly unusual and controversial move.

What is gerrymandering?

Gerrymandering is the act of changing the voting maps of districts to allow for the political establishment, or in some cases politicians themselves, to choose the voters rather than the voters choosing them.

The two key terms used in gerrymandering are cracking and packing, the former meaning to separate voters from the same area to dilute their voting power and the latter meaning to concentrate voters into a district to limit their representation.

The word comes from the salamander fish and the name Gerry Elridge, a Massachusetts governor who signed a bill that redrew district lines in his state, resulting in an outline resembling the mythological fish.

The practice is controversial because it is generally seen as disenfranchising voters, often African Americans.

One of the most notorious cases was in North Carolina, where Thomas Hofeller, a Republican political strategist, used racial data and misled the courts when drawing his state's congressional districts. After Hofeller's death, his daughter gave his files to a voting rights group, revealing the extent of the precision of his gerrymandering.

What options do Democrats have to respond?

The strongest, and possibly the most effective, response has come from California Governor Gavin Newsom, who has taken steps to redraw his state's map, possibly adding nine new Democratic seats in response to the five gained in Texas.

So far, the purple states have been largely quiet on the matter. However, some have pointed to Michigan, which has made efforts in recent years to develop maps representative of their population with community input and independent commissions.

What are other states doing?

The Democratic leaders of New York and Maryland have already confirmed that they plan on redrawing their maps. New York has taken steps to change the law, but their new maps will likely not be ready until 2028.

Missouri Republicans have already taken steps towards redistricting. The state has put money towards new software and staff training for the new districts.

Wisconsin Democrats have turned to the courts to take legal steps to draw new maps before the 2026 midterms.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has expressed support for redistricting, along with Republican state House Speaker Daniel Perez, who said they will address redistricting this year through a special committee.

In advocating for redistricting, Vice President JD Vance spoke with Indiana Governor Mike Braun earlier in August.  

What are people saying?

Earlier this month, Common Cause, a government watchdog group that has historically been opposed to gerrymandering, said they would not oppose redistricting in California in response to that in Texas.

However, several members of Common Cause’s advisory board in California have resigned over opposition to Newsom’s redistricting plans.

Also in California, several Republicans have vocally opposed redistricting, knowing it is in a stronger position to add seats as the country's most populous state.

"This is naked politics at its worst.  This action by the state will set off a series of retaliation in other states across the country with Florida, Missouri and Indiana looking to push back against California," said Representative Doug LaMalfa, from a rural district in northern California, according to a report by the Redding Record Searchlight.

Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont responded to California's redistricting, saying Democrats had "no choice" but to redraw their maps.

Similarly, former President Barack Obama described Newsom's move as a "responsible approach" to the Republicans' redistricting in Texas.

The Democratic leaders of New York and Maryland have already confirmed that they plan on redrawing their maps.

As for the American people, a recent YouGov poll found that the majority of respondents disapproved of partisan gerrymandering, saying it was unfair and should be illegal.

This article has been updated with new information.