SCOTUS clears new Texas map that boosts GOP

The Supreme Court has allowed Texas to use a new congressional map that could add up to five Republican seats in next year’s midterm elections, strengthening the GOP’s chances of keeping control of the House. 

The justices set aside a lower court ruling that blocked the map as an unconstitutional racial gerrymander and ordered Texas to revert to its older districts.

The Supreme Court said the lower court improperly inserted itself into an active primary campaign, creating confusion.

The court’s three liberal justices dissented. Justice Elena Kagan argued that the majority ignored the lower court’s factual findings about race-based discrimination. 

The new map, approved by Texas Republicans at the request of President Donald Trump, faced challenges from civil-rights groups who said it diluted Latino and Black voting power. 

Texas argued it drew the map purely for partisan gain, which the Supreme Court has said is legal.

The decision clears the way for Texas to use the map in 2026, with candidate filings due December 8 and primaries set for March 3.