The two most populous states are in a political battle poised to have a major impact on the balance of power in Washington DC.

The two largest U.S. states have launched a congressional mid-decade redistricting war, and several other states are joining the fray ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, which Democrats hope will mark the end of Republicans’ control of the federal government.

California’s redistricting measure, which Gov. Newsom signed into law last Thursday, is an “emergency defensive tactic,” says a former Santa Barbara County redistricting committee member.