BRIEF: Supreme Court Lets Texas Use New Congressional Map in 2026 – DrWeb’s Domain
BRIEF: Supreme Court Lets Texas Use New Congressional Map in 2026
BRIEF: Supreme Court Lets Texas Use New Congressional Map in 2026
December 4, 2025 — DrWeb’s Domain
Editor’s Note: I was assisted in preparing this brief on today’s SCOTUS ruling for Trump Administration –again. I sense a pattern?
ChatGPT prepared the brief format, did core online research, and we edited together the summary. I can save and re-use the layout for key new events or information. The summary PDF in inline below, and also linked for you in the Sources. The new site logo for BRIEF was prepared by Sora.–DrWeb
ChatGPT prepared the brief format, did core online research, and we edited together the summary. I can save and re-use the layout for key new events or information. The summary PDF in inline below, and also linked for you in the Sources. –DrWeb
The Supreme Court has cleared the way for Texas to use its new congressional map in the 2026 elections, granting a stay in Abbott v. League of United Latin American Citizens (No. 25A608). The 6–3 order blocks a lower-court ruling that found the map likely discriminates against Latino voters, and keeps in place a plan widely viewed as favorable to Texas Republicans and former President Trump.
The unsigned majority stresses judicial caution about changing election rules once candidate filing is underway, leaning on its recent use of the so-called Purcell principle. It also faults the three-judge district court for not giving enough deference to the legislature’s stated, ostensibly partisan motives, and for moving too aggressively while primaries are already on the calendar.
In dissent, Justice Kagan, joined by Justices Sotomayor and Jackson, accuses the Court of quietly rewriting how Voting Rights Act cases work. The dissent argues that the trial court carefully documented racial vote dilution and that with the 2026 elections still months away, there was ample time to fix the map instead of locking it in for this cycle.
Practically, the ruling means Texas keeps a map that could help Republicans hold or gain House seats in a closely divided Congress, and it raises the bar for future challenges to partisan-tilted maps nationwide. It is another sign that federal oversight of redistricting is shrinking, even as states openly redraw lines to maximize partisan advantage.
25a608_7khnDownload Sources
- Supreme Court of the United States, Abbott v. League of United Latin American Citizens, No. 25A608 (Dec. 4, 2025) — Opinion and dissent (PDF)
- Associated Press — “Supreme Court allows Texas to use a congressional map favorable to Republicans in 2026”
- Reuters — “Supreme Court revives pro-Republican Texas voting map sought by Trump”
- SCOTUSblog — Case summary and analysis of the Texas redistricting stay
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