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2w ago

Federal Court Blocks Texas' 2025 Congressional Map, Orders Return to 2021 Lines

A direct appeal to the Supreme Court looms under tight filing deadlines.

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Democratic Texas Representative Gene Wu speaks during a press conference after the passing of H.B. 4, during a session in which Democratic lawmakers, who had left the state to prevent Republicans from redrawing Texas's 38 congressional districts, returned to the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, U.S., August 20, 2025. REUTERS/Sergio Flores/File Photo
State Rep. Matt Morgan, R-Richmond, surveys a map of proposed new congressional districts in Texas, as Democratic lawmakers, who left the state to deny Republicans the opportunity to redraw the state's 38 congressional districts, began returning to the Texas Capitol in Austin on Aug. 20, 2025.

Overview

  • A three-judge panel ruled 2–1 that Texas’ newly enacted map is likely an unlawful racial gerrymander and ordered the 2026 elections to proceed under the 2021 map.
  • Judge Jeffrey V. Brown’s opinion, joined by Judge David C. Guaderrama, cited substantial evidence that race predominated the redraw; Judge Jerry E. Smith dissented.
  • The court pointed to a July DOJ letter and Gov. Greg Abbott’s directives as evidence the Legislature targeted coalition districts and pursued specific racial thresholds.
  • Texas officials said they will appeal directly to the U.S. Supreme Court, with the compressed calendar — including a Dec. 8 candidate filing deadline and March primaries — adding urgency.
  • The blocked map was designed to net Republicans up to five House seats, and the ruling feeds a broader national redistricting clash that includes California’s Prop 50 and new GOP maps in Missouri, North Carolina and Ohio now facing legal challenges.