On Friday, Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito issued a temporary order permitting Texas to utilize the Republicans' newly redrawn congressional map, which a federal court had blocked just earlier this week. This significant decision comes after Texas sought intervention from the Supreme Court following a ruling by a panel of federal judges on Tuesday. The judges had prohibited the state from implementing new district lines that were strategically designed to help Republicans gain an additional five House seats in the upcoming midterm elections.
The lower court's ruling, signed by Judge Jeffrey Brown—a nominee of former President Donald Trump—instructed Texas to revert to a previous map drawn in 2021. This decision was based on substantial evidence indicating that Texas had engaged in racial gerrymandering with its 2025 congressional map. The administrative stay granted by the Supreme Court allows Texas to continue using the contested map temporarily while the high court reviews the case.
The Supreme Court has mandated that civil rights advocacy groups, which challenged the new map, submit their response by 5 p.m. on Monday. This timeline is critical as the filing deadline for candidates in Texas ahead of the March primary is set for December 8. The outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for the upcoming elections and the overall political landscape in Texas.
The district court’s decision marked a considerable setback for Trump, who has been actively encouraging Republicans in Texas and nationwide to implement new maps that would fortify the party's slim majority in the House. While congressional maps are typically reassessed at the beginning of each decade, following the release of new census data, Texas' redrawn map has ignited a heated national mid-cycle redistricting battle between both political parties.
In addition to Texas, Republicans in states like Missouri and North Carolina have also passed new congressional maps this year, aiming to enhance their party's position. Meanwhile, Trump continues to urge GOP lawmakers in Indiana to follow suit, reflecting the ongoing struggle for political advantage through redistricting efforts across the country.