Supreme Court Allows Texas to Use GOP-Favored Congressional Map in 2026

On December 4, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a lower court's decision that had stopped Texas from using its new congressional map for the 2026 midterm elections because of claims of racial discrimination.

In August 2025, state lawmakers approved the design that the Republicans supported. Experts think that this design could give the GOP up to five more members in the US House by changing the borders of several districts.

A federal three-judge court in El Paso ordered the state to go back to its old 2021 structure after deciding that the new borders made Black and Latino voters less powerful in elections. They said that the plan was probably an illegal racial gerrymander.

Texas filed an appeal, saying that the unclear district lines would make it harder to get ready for the 2026 primary, especially as the deadlines for candidates to turn in their papers got closer.

The Supreme Court overturned the lower court's decision and let the state use the map in question while the legal battle was still going on. They did this with a short, unsigned order.

The majority of the Court said that the lower court's actions were too close to the election cycle and did not properly respect the Legislature's goal. They also said that courts should not make last-minute changes that could affect how elections are run.

Republican leaders praised the decision, saying it protects the state's right to draw its own district lines and makes sure that things stay stable before the 2026 elections. They say that the map shows legal policy choices instead of an intent to discriminate.

Democratic lawmakers and civil rights groups protested the decision, saying that it violates the right of minorities to vote and puts decades of progress in making sure that communities of color are fairly represented at risk.

Election law experts say that if other states used the 'legislative good faith' standard to protect their redistricting plans from lawsuits, the Court's decision could lead them to come up with more aggressive political plans.

Because of the ruling, voters in Texas will probably have to vote in new districts in 2026.This could lead to changes that change the balance of power and make the US House of Representatives more competitive.

Before the 2026 midterm elections, the court's decision changes the political scene in Texas.

The Supreme Court's approval of Texas' new congressional map will probably change the balance of power in the state before the 2026 midterm elections. The Republican-leaning districts could help the GOP win a number of close House races.

As the elections in 2026 get closer, experts think the decision could have an effect on fights over redistricting in other states.