Supreme Court rulings in recent years have ended key protections in the Voting Rights Act, potentially resulting in losses of representation for Black voters in southern states. Historian Gregory Downs said that these changes could be similar to the end of Reconstruction protections after the Civil War.

After nearly every midterm election following a new president taking office, his party loses legislative seats. While 2026 is unique, with nearly unprecedented efforts to change how voters elect their leaders, Republican losses are still likely despite these efforts to stem them.

Today's battles over redistricting is purely political and part of a long tradition of partisan hardball dating back nearly to the nation’s founding. As happened in the past, the result of this national battle unfolding in state legislatures could have lasting impacts on our political future.