Group says Republican mid-cycle redistricting is “uncharted territory” as it offers guidance to state lawmakers.
A League of Women Voters member demonstrates in front of the White House in Washington, D.C., in 2010. On Tuesday, the group said it stood in opposition to current Republican efforts to redraw congressional maps years before it’s needed and will “easily be used to disenfranchise voters based on race or party affiliation.” File Photo By Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
The League of Women Voters said Tuesday it opposed the unconventional mid-cycle congressional district redrawing effort led by Republicans. The group outlined non-partisan advice to help guide state lawmakers.
The league said it opposed mid-cycle gerrymandering because it can “easily be used to disenfranchise voters based on race or party affiliation,” read a joint statement by LWV’s CEO Celina Stewart and its president, Dianna Wynn.
The Washington-based League of Women Voters unveiled its guidance on mid-cycle map drawing for governors and state legislators under the heading of “No Harm to Our Communities: Mapping Guidance for Elected Leaders.”
Wynn and Stewart called the Republican-led political moves “uncharted territory” for the country.
The two pointed blame to an “unpopular, authoritarian president” who they said “exploits racial division and seeks to silence voters in a shameless bid for power” as Republicans fear losses in the 2026 midterm elections.
The LWV said it will magnify inequality that “undermines the very foundation of representative democracy that ensures a government that is responsive and accountable to the people.”
The LWV’s plan largely calls for a more open and transparent public process in contrast to past redistricting efforts in states that largely took place behind closed doors.
LWV officials pointed out that the biggest segment of disenfranchised U.S. voters include minority groups, America’s native population and young voters and that rural communities, in particular, have been “historically and continuously targeted by manipulative map-drawing.”
“While we oppose mid-cycle redistricting,” according to the league, “it’s happening now in states across the country.”
On Monday, a Utah judge struck down a Republican-drawn congressional map and ordered lawmakers to redraw after Utah Republicans overruled a ballot measure passed by voters that seeks to outlaw partisan gerrymandering.
LWV’s guidance was inspired by ongoing Republican-led efforts in Texas to redistrict the Lone Star state to specifically hold a political advantage for Republicans.
That effort sparked backlash across the country and pushed California Gov. Gavin Newsom to convince California’s Democratic-controlled state legislature to follow-suit in order to counter Texas on a national electoral level.
On Tuesday afternoon, Texas State Rep. Andy Hopper posted on X that 31 state House Republicans signed a letter to Gov. Greg Abbot requesting a third special legislative session to consider redistricting.
“As Texas approves new maps, the League remains steadfast that any redistricting process must include people’s voices,” it stated.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, league officials stated that it will keep “doing our part to educate and equip voters for the road ahead in the impacted states.”
“Make no mistake: If a state harms our communities, the League of Women Voters will use the full power of our grassroots network to fight back in court and at the ballot box,” LWV added.
