Overview
- Solicitor General D. John Sauer told the justices the voter‑approved map is unconstitutional, pointing to mapmaker Paul Mitchell’s public remarks as direct evidence that race predominated in drawing District 13.
- California Republicans filed an emergency application seeking to prevent use of the new lines in 2026 and to temporarily revert to the prior congressional map.
- A three‑judge federal panel denied a preliminary injunction after a multi‑day hearing, with the majority finding challengers failed to show racial predominance and characterizing the initiative as driven by partisan aims.
- Justice Elena Kagan ordered the state to respond by Jan. 29, setting the stage for possible high‑court action before candidate filing opens on Feb. 9.
- Analysts estimate the new map could yield up to five additional Democratic House seats, while the DOJ says alternative configurations could meet partisan goals without sorting voters by race.