The Supreme Courtroom on Wednesday rejected a bid by California Republicans to dam a newly redrawn congressional map backed by Democrats and endorsed by voters forward of the 2026 midterm elections.
The transfer permits the state to maneuver ahead with a map enacted by Proposition 50, authorized in November, that might doubtlessly enable Democrats to flip 5 seats presently held by Republicans.
A common view of U.S. Supreme Courtroom in Washington, January 20, 2026.
Nathan Howard/Reuters
California’s mid-decade map change was backed by Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Democratic Occasion in response to efforts by Texas and different Republican-led states to redraw their maps — at President Donald Trump’s urging — with the intention to give Republicans a greater likelihood at retaining majority management of Congress.
“Donald Trump mentioned he was ‘entitled’ to 5 extra Congressional seats in Texas. He began this redistricting battle. He misplaced, and he’ll lose once more in November,” Newsom posted on X on Wednesday after the Supreme Courtroom’s order.
The California Republican Occasion in January filed an emergency utility with the nation’s excessive courtroom to attempt to prohibit California from utilizing the map whereas their attraction moved ahead, arguing it was drawn predominantly primarily based on race.
The Supreme Courtroom on Wednesday didn’t clarify its resolution in a single-sentence order. There have been no famous dissents.
Late final yr, the Supreme Courtroom declined to dam the Texas map, citing a want to chorus from interference within the political course of too near an election and broad deference to state legislators who insisted they acted in good religion and no racial animus.
