Court cases form new voting districts in some states

Since most Americans last voted for Congress, new political maps enacted following court rulings have shifted the voting district landscape.

The sum of that redistricting provides at least a one-seat gain for Republicans in November’s House elections. But that equation could flip to Democrats’ favor depending on what happens in New York’s congressional districts.

Here’s a look at how voting districts have — or could — change before the November elections.

SOUTHERN SWINGS

A U.S. Supreme Court ruling about minority voting rights paved the way for new districts in Alabama and Louisiana. Democrats are expected to gain one seat in Alabama and one more in Louisiana.

A similar court ruling also forced the Republicanled General Assembly to redraw districts in Georgia. But the new map there isn’t expected to change the state’s proportion of both parties’ representatives.

Democratic gains in Alabama and Louisiana are likely to be offset in North Carolina, where Republicans could win at least three additional seats under revised districts.

NEW YORK’S UNCERTAINTY

The Republicans’ edge from redistricting changes could be transformed into a small Democratic advantage if new House districts are adopted in New York.

After a commission failed to agree on districts based on the 2020 census, the Democratic-led New York Legislature passed a plan that got struck down in court as a partisan gerrymander. The courts imposed districts for the 2022 elections, which resulted in a split of 15 Democrats and 11 Republicans.

But more litigation ensued, and the state’s highest court ordered the commission to make another attempt at new districts. The commission has until the end of this month to submit a plan, which could open the potential for Democrats to gain multiple seats.