Challengers to Texas’ newly redrawn congressional map urged the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday not to block a lower court ruling that requires the state to use its previous map for the 2026 elections. They argued the decision came with sufficient time before the election cycle and would avoid unnecessary disruption. The dispute centers on whether Texas may implement a new map that targets five Democratic-held districts. A federal district court panel ruled 2–1 that the state’s 2024 map constituted an illegal racial gerrymander and ordered Texas to revert to the boundaries adopted after the 2020 census. Texas officials have asked the Supreme Court for emergency intervention, claiming the ruling came too close to the Dec. 8 candidate filing deadline.
The challengers countered that maintaining the map used for the past four years would create “less work and less confusion” than implementing a map the court already deemed unlawful. They described the new Texas map as a “stark case of racial gerrymandering,” arguing that despite its partisan goals, the state also discriminated against minority voters. Justice Samuel Alito issued an administrative stay on Friday, temporarily pausing the lower court’s decision while the Supreme Court considers the state’s request.
The case holds significant national implications as both parties continue using redistricting to strengthen their positions in the U.S. House. The Trump administration filed a brief supporting Texas, arguing the challengers failed to meet the burden of proving racial intent. The Court may issue a preliminary ruling soon, as the case is subject to direct appeal. Meanwhile, several states—including California, Virginia, Missouri, North Carolina, and Kansas—have recently enacted or begun revising their congressional maps.