Republican-led legislatures in Alabama and South Carolina rejected proposals to redraw congressional district maps this week, dealing a blow to former President Donald Trump's efforts to reshape electoral boundaries ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The setbacks came despite Trump's direct appeals to state lawmakers in both states.

Trump had publicly urged legislators to adopt new maps that would consolidate Republican voting strength, part of a broader push across multiple states where the GOP controls the redistricting process. Alabama's legislature adjourned its special session on May 23 without advancing a new map, while South Carolina's House voted down a proposed redistricting plan on May 25, as reported by Reuters.

In Alabama, resistance came from within the Republican caucus itself, with rural lawmakers expressing concern that proposed changes would dilute their constituents' representation by merging districts to create safer urban Republican seats. South Carolina's rejection followed similar internal party divisions, where coastal and upstate representatives clashed over how to balance partisan advantage against preserving existing community boundaries.

"The proposed maps did not reflect the interests of our communities," one South Carolina legislator stated during floor debate.

The failures in Alabama and South Carolina mark the first significant resistance to Trump's redistricting agenda, which has succeeded in states including Florida and Texas where new maps were adopted earlier this year. Those states redrew boundaries to favor Republican candidates in competitive districts, potentially shifting the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives. The contrasting outcomes highlight fractures within state Republican parties over whether to prioritize Trump's national electoral strategy or local political considerations.