Supreme Court lifts lower court block of Texas GOP-drawn map, allowing 5 additional Republican seats for 2026 elections

Supreme Court ruled Dec. 2, 2025 that 🤠Texas's GOP-drawn congressional map did not violate constitutional prohibitions against race-based gerrymandering. The 6-3 decision lifted a lower court injunction that would have prevented use of the map in 2026 elections.

The map, drawn by Republican state legislators, was designed to create five additional Republican congressional seats, shifting 🤠Texas from a 25-13 Democratic advantage to 22-16 Republican. The Court ruled that race was not the predominant factor in drawing district lines.

Lower courts had ruled the map unconstitutional under the Voting Rights Act, finding it diluted minority voting strength through cracking and packing tactics. The Supreme Court's conservative majority disagreed, arguing traditional redistricting principles like compactness and communities of interest were properly considered.

Candidate filing deadline for the new districts is Dec. 8, 2025, with primary elections scheduled for Mar. 2026. The ruling allows the map to be used for the 2026 midterm elections, potentially flipping control of the House of Representatives.

Civil rights groups argued the map targeted Latino and Black voters in South 🤠Texas and urban areas, reducing their electoral influence. The Court's decision marked a significant shift from previous rulings that struck down similar race-conscious redistricting plans.

Justice Department had intervened on behalf of minority voters, but the Supreme Court found insufficient evidence that race predominated over traditional districting criteria. The ruling could encourage more aggressive redistricting by Republican-controlled states.

🤠Texas Republicans argued the map complied with legal requirements and reflected population changes, not racial motivations. The Court's decision validated their approach, potentially influencing redistricting in other states.

Election law experts noted the ruling could affect voting rights nationwide, making it harder to challenge maps that appear race-neutral but have discriminatory effects.