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.

Republican legislators filed an emergency petition with the California Supreme Court, arguing Democrats are blatantly violating the state Constitution by rushing bills through the Legislature that would create new voting districts.

It all amounts to the opening salvo in what is likely to become a national showdown to grasp power through gerrymandering.