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A panel of federal judges in Texas blocked the state's new congressional map on Tuesday (November 18), ruling it a likely racial gerrymander. The decision prevents the map from being used in the 2026 midterm elections, delivering a setback to Republicans who hoped to gain additional seats. In a 2-1 vote, the judges ordered Texas to revert to the 2021 congressional lines. The new map, approved earlier this year, would have potentially increased Republican control from 25 to 30 of Texas' 38 congressional districts.
U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Brown, appointed by President Donald Trump, wrote, "Substantial evidence shows that Texas racially gerrymandered the 2025 Map." The panel's decision followed a trial in El Paso, where civil rights groups argued that the map diluted the voting power of Black and Hispanic Texans. The ruling allows Texas Republicans to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, but candidates must file for the March primary by December 8, leaving little time for legal maneuvers.
The map was part of a broader effort by Republicans, spearheaded by President Trump, to redraw districts in several states to maintain a slim House majority. The map's rejection could trigger significant political shifts, with Democrats potentially maintaining their current districts and Republicans facing less favorable election prospects.
The ruling has sparked a national debate on redistricting, with California Democrats countering Texas' GOP map with their own redrawn districts. The court's decision emphasizes the ongoing legal battles over voting rights and districting, highlighting the tension between partisan goals and racial equity in electoral processes.