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, authorised in November, that might probably permit Democrats to flip 5 seats at present held by Republicans.
A basic 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 Celebration in response to efforts by Texas and different Republican-led states to redraw their maps — at President Donald Trump’s urging — with a purpose to give Republicans a greater probability at retaining majority control of Congress.
“Donald Trump stated he was ‘entitled’ to 5 extra Congressional seats in Texas. He began this redistricting struggle. 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 Celebration in January filed an emergency software with the nation’s excessive court docket to attempt to prohibit California from utilizing the map whereas their enchantment moved ahead, arguing it was drawn predominantly based mostly on race.
The Supreme Courtroom on Wednesday didn’t clarify its choice in a single-sentence order. There have been no famous dissents.
Late final 12 months, 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.
