The US Supreme Court has temporarily blocked a lower court ruling that struck down the Texas Redistricting Map. Hence, it was a victory for the state Republicans and President Donald Trump’s efforts to expand GOP control in the House. However, the emergency order is signed by signed by Justice Samuel Alito, which allows the controversial map to remain in place, but the high court reviews the fast-moving case.
The decision came just days after a federal court in El Paso ruled 2–1 that the Texas Redistricting Map was likely an unconstitutional racial gerrymander, discriminating against Black and Hispanic voters. However, the map was approved during a special legislative session. So, it would give Republicans five additional House seats. In addition, it would also significantly impact the 2026 mid-term elections.
Supreme Court Steps In As Texas Cites ‘Chaos’ over Texas Redistricting Map Ruling
Texas officials requested the Supreme Court to intervene by arguing that the ruling of the lower court would cause chaos with the March 2026 primary elections in a few weeks. In addition, officials also shared that many candidates had already started campaigning, gathered signatures, and filed for ballot access.
Justice Alito issued an administrative stay within hours of Texas filing its emergency request, which has paused the lower court’s order and requested responses from the plaintiffs by Monday evening. However, Alito signed the order because he manages emergency appeals from the 5th circuit. Yet, the full Supreme Court is expected to take up the case soon.
Legal experts note that the conservative majority of the Court has repeatedly blocked similar redirecting decisions issued close to elections. Plus, Alabama and Louisiana maps are recent examples of these rulings.
Federal Judges Find Racial Gerrymandering; Dissent Argues Misconduct
The El Paso panel ruled that Texas lawmakers illegally used race as the predominant factor when drawing new congressional districts. Plus, the decision was prompted by a Trump Justice Department letter urging demographic changes in four districts.
In addition, the judge said it likely violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. Judge Jeffrey Brown sharply criticised the DOJ letter as “full of factual, legal, and typographical errors,” but said it directly pushed Texas toward race-based redistricting.
On the other hand, the blistering dissent of Judge Jerry Smith accused Brown of judicial activism, misbehaviour, and producing an opinion that would earn an F on a law school exam. In addition, Smith requested that the state was acting on political motivations, not racial ones.
Texas Leaders Defend the Map
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton celebrated the temporary halt of the Supreme Court. However, he accused radical left-wing activists of manipulating courts to steal the house for Democrats.
Governor Greg Abbott echoed Paxton by saying the lower court highlighted the constitutional authority to draw its own maps. Moreover, Abbot insisted the redistricting simply shows the shifting political reality of the state, where Republicans have gained ground in Hispanic and Black communities.
Abbott said, “The legislature redrew our maps to reflect Texans’ conservative voting preferences. Claims of discrimination are absurd.” Plus, Texas Republicans maintain that politics shaped the map, not race, which is the defence the Supreme Court has historically accepted in partisan gerrymandering claims.
High-Stakes National Battle Over Redistricting
The Texas case is a part of a broader national struggle as both parties engage in rare mid-decade redistricting. Moreover, Trump has openly supported GOP states to redraw lines to maximise Republican seats. In contrast, the Justice Department has sued California over the Texas redistricting map that allegedly benefits Democrats.
The US Supreme Court is also weighing a major Louisiana redistricting case that could reshape how courts interpret the Voting Rights Act and potentially reduce Black-majority districts nationwide.
What Happens Next?
Candidates must declare their congressional bids by December 8 to give the Supreme Court only a window to issue a final decision over the Texas Redistricting Map. Historically, the court averages about 3 weeks to resolve emergency appeals involving the Trump administration or related issues.
Texas is allowed to use its new map for now. However, the political and legal battle is far from over for the Texas Redistricting Map.
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