Austin, Texas – A panel of three federal judges today blocked the state of Texas from using newly redrawn congressional district maps, dealing a blow to Republican efforts to solidify their power ahead of next year’s midterm elections.
The ruling represents a significant setback for efforts spearheaded by allies of former President Donald Trump, who have sought to redraw congressional maps in several states to benefit the Republican party. The aim was to bolster the party’s narrow majority in the House of Representatives during the potentially contentious 2026 midterm elections.
The court’s decision strongly suggests that the redistricting plan was viewed as being driven by partisan considerations. While acknowledging that politics played a role in the creation of the 2025 map, the judges asserted that the issue extended far beyond mere political maneuvering. The ruling cited “compelling evidence that Texas engaged in racially discriminatory gerrymandering in the creation of the 2025 map.”
In August, a previous redistricting effort in Texas, a reliably Republican state, aimed to secure an additional five congressional seats for the Republican party. Redistricting occurs in the United States every ten years following the national census. However, the practice of drawing district lines in a manner that unfairly favors one political party has become increasingly common.
