Court rejects GOP challenge, clearing way for Democrat-friendly map in 2026 elections
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Wednesday unanimously allowed California to use new, voter-approved congressional districts that favor Democrats, rejecting an emergency appeal from state Republicans and the Trump administration.
The justices issued a brief, unsigned order denying the appeal without explanation, a common practice on the court’s emergency docket.
California voters approved the new map last fall after Gov. Gavin Newsom placed Proposition 50 on the ballot in response to Republican-led redistricting in Texas. The measure passed by a wide margin but quickly drew legal challenges from California Republicans, who argued the map relied improperly on race.
“Donald Trump said he was ‘entitled’ to five more congressional seats in Texas,” Newsom said in a statement. “He started this redistricting war. He lost, and he’ll lose again in November.” Newsom said.
A three-judge federal panel rejected that claim in a 2-1 ruling, finding the map did not violate federal law. The Supreme Court’s decision leaves that ruling intact.
The court’s action clears the way for the map to be used in this year’s elections and could shift up to five seats currently held by Republicans, further raising the stakes in a nationwide redistricting battle ahead of the midterm elections.
The ruling follows the court’s earlier decision to allow Texas to use a Republican-friendly congressional map in 2026, despite a lower-court finding that it likely discriminates on the basis of race.
In December, conservative Justice Samuel Alito wrote that both California and Texas appeared to have redrawn their maps for political advantage, which the Supreme Court has previously ruled is not grounds for a federal lawsuit.
Republicans, joined by the Trump administration, argued California’s map crossed a legal line by considering race. The Justice Department and the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment Wednesday.
Jon Fleischman, a longtime Republican strategist and former executive director of the California Republican Party, wrote on X that the decision means
“this year’s elections will take place on the new lines, shrinking the already very small Republican delegation from California.”
Newsom praised the ruling and criticized former President Donald Trump, who urged Texas Republicans last year to redraw their congressional districts to gain additional seats.
“Donald Trump said he was ‘entitled’ to five more congressional seats in Texas,” Newsom said in a statement. “He started this redistricting war. He lost, and he’ll lose again in November.”
Photo Credit: Fred Schilling, Collection of the Supreme Court of the United States
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