Behind The Lines: How Mid-Decade Redistricting Is Playing Out In The States, Where Maryland Stands

By Stories From The States, Maryland Matters

February 16, 2026

Stories From The States is a weekly podcast from States Newsroom that explores, through personal stories, how people and communities across America are being affected by government decisions. Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.

President Donald Trump is still pushing Republican-led states to redistrict their congressional maps to help the GOP maintain control of the House of Representatives after the 2026 midterm elections.
It led to an unusual burst of mid-decade redistricting in some states, such as Texas and North Carolina, that have passed new maps increasing a GOP advantage.

Democratic-led states California and Virginia are pushing for redraws of their congressional maps to counter them.

Meanwhile, Maryland state legislators are at an impasse on whether to change their maps, after a House-approved redistricting plan got stalled in the Senate.

In Episode 15, Maryland Matters reporter Bryan Sears will break down on what’s going on in Annapolis.

Over in Alabama, they’ve enacted new state Senate maps drawn by an unexpected mapmaker — a college freshman.

You’ll meet Daniel DiDonato, a student at the University of Alabama and a cartographer.
Finally, Evening Wrap newsletter author Danielle Gaines shares the top stories she’s watching.