Multiple States See Governor-Called Special Sessions Over Redistricting
Several states saw governors call special legislative sessions in 2025-2026 tied to congressional redistricting, including South Carolina, Missouri, and Texas. Coverage varied in emphasis: some reports focused on the legal authority of governors to call such sessions, others on the redistricting agenda itself, and one on an unrelated open governor's race in South Carolina.
In South Carolina, Gov. Henry McMaster issued an executive order calling the General Assembly into a special session beginning May 15, 2026, to address congressional redistricting ahead of the 2026 midterms and to finalize the state budget before it took effect July 1. In Missouri, Gov. Mike Kehoe called a special session that produced a new congressional district map favoring Republicans, which was set to be used in the 2026 primary election. In Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott issued a proclamation in August 2025 for a second special session listing 19 agenda items, including redistricting, a ban on taxpayer-funded lobbying, and measures on human trafficking victims. The Missouri Supreme Court unanimously upheld Kehoe's authority to call the special session after the NAACP challenged it, ruling in an opinion by Judge Mary R. Russell that the state constitution gives the governor discretion to determine when an “extraordinary occasion” warrants such a session. The NAACP had argued Kehoe exceeded his authority in convening the session that led to the new map. Separately, Abbott criticized House Democrats for leaving the state during the first special session, which he said delayed action on flood relief and other legislation, prompting the need for a second session. As of the reporting, Missouri's new congressional map has been cleared for use in the 2026 primary following the court ruling, while South Carolina's redistricting session outcome and final map were not detailed in available reporting. South Carolina's 2026 governor's race, separate from the redistricting session, is notable as the state's first open contest since 2010 due to McMaster's term limits, with a crowded Republican field including Trump-backed Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, two members of Congress, and the state attorney general. The final content and passage of Texas's 19-item special session agenda, and the ultimate redistricting outcome in South Carolina, remain unconfirmed in the supplied reporting.
SOURCE COMPARISON
How the coverage differs
Republican Governor Calls Special Session To Address Redistricting
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster called a special legislative session to address redistricting ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, along with the state budget. McMaster issued an executive order calling the General Assembly back beginning May 15 at 11:00 AM.
Read original report ↗South Carolina Governor Primary Election 2026 Live Results
Republican Gov. Henry McMaster is barred by term limits from running again, making South Carolina's 2026 race its first open governor's contest since 2010. Trump-backed Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette is part of a crowded Republican field that includes two members of Congress and the state attorney general.
Read original report ↗Missouri Supreme Court rules governor had authority to call redistricting session
The Missouri Supreme Court unanimously ruled Gov. Mike Kehoe had authority to call a special session that approved the state's new congressional district map, which will be used in the 2026 primary election. The court, in an opinion by Judge Mary R. Russell, held the governor has discretion to determine when an extraordinary occasion warrants a special session.
Read original report ↗Missouri Supreme Court rejects NAACP challenge to special session of state legislature
The Missouri Supreme Court unanimously rejected a challenge to Gov. Mike Kehoe's authority to call a special session, ruling the state constitution gave him power to determine when an 'extraordinary occasion' has arisen. The NAACP had argued Kehoe overstepped his authority in calling the session that produced the new Republican-favoring congressional map.
Read original report ↗McMaster orders special session so legislators can redraw voting lines
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster ordered a special session for legislators to debate redrawing the state's congressional lines, beginning shortly after the close of the regular 2026 legislative session. Lawmakers were also set to finalize the state budget taking effect July 1.
Read original report ↗Governor Abbott Announces Special Session #2
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a proclamation identifying 19 agenda items for a second special legislative session, including redistricting, banning taxpayer-funded lobbying, and protecting human trafficking victims. Abbott criticized House Democrats for leaving the state, delaying flood relief and other legislation.
Read original report ↗