Overview
- The three-judge panel ruled 2-1 to issue a 160-page preliminary injunction barring use of the GOP-drawn map for the 2026 elections.
- The order instructs Texas to run the 2026 U.S. House contests under the congressional map enacted in 2021 while the case continues.
- Judge Jeffrey V. Brown wrote that substantial evidence shows the state used race in redrawing districts, citing a DOJ letter and directives from Gov. Greg Abbott.
- Texas officials said they will appeal directly to the U.S. Supreme Court, with the timeline compressed by a Dec. 8 candidate filing deadline and a March primary.
- The halted map was crafted to create up to five additional Republican-leaning seats and helped spur parallel redistricting fights in California, Missouri, North Carolina and Ohio.