Republican-led efforts to redraw congressional maps across several Southern states are accelerating following a recent Supreme Court decision, injecting new uncertainty into the 2026 midterm elections.
In Alabama, Gov. Kay Ivey has called lawmakers back to Montgomery starting Monday to prepare contingency plans for potential special primary elections. The move comes as the state asks the Supreme Court to allow it to replace its current court-ordered congressional map with one drawn by Republican legislators.
Republican leaders argue the change could significantly reshape the state’s delegation. “Give our state a fighting chance to send seven Republican members to Congress,” they said, referring to Alabama’s current seven-seat delegation, which includes two Democrats.
Federal judges previously required Alabama to adopt a map featuring a second district with a substantial number of Black voters, and ordered that map remain in place until after the 2030 Census. The state is now appealing that decision, hoping the Supreme Court—following its recent ruling in a Louisiana case—will allow a return to a 2023 map crafted by lawmakers.
That proposal would notably alter the district represented by Rep. Shomari Figures (D-Ala.) a Black lawmaker. State legislators are preparing for the possibility that courts could lift the current injunction in time to implement new district lines before the November election, triggering special primaries in four affected districts.
“As I continue saying, Alabama knows our state, our people and our districts best,” Ivey said.
Similar momentum is building in Tennessee, where Gov. Bill Lee has called a special legislative session to consider a new congressional map that could shift the state’s lone Democrat district into Republican control ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Lee said the session was necessary following a conversation with President Donald Trump and the Supreme Court’s ruling that limited the use of race in drawing district boundaries.
“We owe it to Tennesseans to ensure our congressional districts accurately reflect the will of Tennessee voters,” Lee said, citing urgency “to comply with mandatory election qualifying timelines” and ensure any new map is “enacted as soon as possible.”
The proposal, introduced by Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) could result in a 9-0 Republican advantage in the state’s House delegation. Blackburn, who is widely seen as a leading candidate to succeed Lee as governor, publicly backed the effort. (RELATED: Senator Calls To Eliminate All Dem House Seats In Her State)
“I urge our state legislature to reconvene to redistrict another Republican seat in Memphis,” Blackburn wrote. “It’s essential to cement @realDonaldTrump’s agenda and the Golden Age of America.”
Meanwhile, in Georgia, Rep. Buddy Carter (R-Ga.) is pushing for a similar approach, calling on state leaders to redraw congressional maps before the next election cycle.
“Delay the House primary,” Carter wrote. “Call a special session. Redraw the maps.”
In an op-ed, Carter argued that Republicans should act quickly in response to the Supreme Court’s decision and broader national trends.
“Georgia is at a crossroads, and the choice in front of us is simple: We either fight to win, or we let Democrats tilt the field against us,” he wrote. “Across the country, states are acting. They are redrawing maps, leveling the playing field, and making sure their voters are fully represented.”
However, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has so far resisted those calls, stating that the state will not redraw its congressional map for the 2026 election cycle and declining to convene a special session.
Georgia Republicans currently hold a 9-5 advantage in the state’s U.S. House delegation, though some party strategists have identified Democratic-held districts as potential future targets if maps are revisited.
On Monday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis approved a redrawing of Florida’s congressional map expected to net Republicans four additional House seats — a shift that could offset anticipated GOP losses elsewhere and help protect the party’s majority.
Taken together, the developments in Alabama, Tennessee, Florida and Georgia highlight a rapidly evolving redistricting landscape. With court decisions, legislative actions, and political pressure converging, the shape of congressional districts—and the balance of power in Washington—remains in flux as the 2026 midterms approach.
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EVERY State needs to look at this, hard!
Look at New England, almost 50% Republican and NO representation.