Kansas Republicans are looking to bypass the Democratic governor and call a special session to redraw political maps in a way that likely favors their party, Punchbowl News reports. Republicans and Democrats in several states are redrawing voting maps to boost their chances of winning more House seats in 2026.
The goal of the session would be to redraw congressional district maps in a way that makes it harder for Rep. Sharice Davids, D-Kan., to win reelection by changing the boundaries of her district. Her district is based in Kansas City, which usually votes Democratic.
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In Kansas, lawmakers can force a special session if a supermajority of lawmakers sign a petition requesting it. The Republican Party currently holds a supermajority in both the state House and Senate.
Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly is urging the Kansas Legislature to hold public hearings so that citizens can give their opinions on the Republicans’ redistricting plans.
“I do not agree with mid-decade redistricting based on old data and a clearly partisan agenda,” Kelly said in a statement. “According to public reporting, Republican legislative leadership is seriously considering calling a special session of the legislature to enact new congressional district maps.”
She went on to add, “That is why I am calling on legislative leadership to host town halls prior to circulating a petition for a special session. Kansans must be offered the opportunity to express their opinions directly to their representatives, as they have during previous redistricting processes.”
If Kansas Republicans are successful in drawing up a new congressional map, Kelly could veto it. The Legislature would then need a supermajority to override Kelly’s veto.
Other states also eye mid-decade redistricting
Kansas isn’t the only state considering a mid-decade redistricting.
Last month, the Texas Legislature approved a new congressional map, hoping to fulfill President Donald Trump’s wishes of gaining five new GOP seats in the U.S. House in the 2026 mid-term election. Gov. Greg Abbott has since signed that map into law.
The Missouri Senate has approved a new congressional district map, which could give the Republican Party an additional seat in the House.
A judge ordered Utah to redraw its congressional districts ahead of 2026, citing a violation of an anti‐gerrymandering proposition. Drafts have been released, and public meetings have been held.
In Ohio, the General Assembly has until Sept. 30 to create a new congressional map. The current map was considered temporary due to its lack of bipartisan support.
Republican leaders in Florida are expressing interest in redrawing maps, and a special committee will handle the process.
In Maryland, a Democratic state senator put forth a bill that would redraw the congressional boundaries.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed two redistricting bills into law. The state will hold a special election in November to give voters the final say. Voters will either approve or reject the new map.
Meanwhile, state lawmakers in New York, Illinois and Indiana are looking into similar efforts.
