Overview
- By a 2-1 vote, a three-judge panel in Los Angeles denied a preliminary injunction, allowing the new congressional lines to be used in the 2026 midterms.
- Judge Josephine Staton, joined by Judge Wesley Hsu, concluded the evidence showed partisan intent rather than racial predominance, leaving the challengers short of their burden.
- Judge Kenneth Lee dissented, asserting at least one district was drawn with racial intent and pointing to mapmaker Paul Mitchell’s public statements as critical evidence.
- Approved by more than 60% of voters in November, Proposition 50 aims to help Democrats flip up to five Republican-held seats and will govern elections through 2030.
- The California Republican Party and the U.S. Justice Department are expected to appeal directly to the U.S. Supreme Court, which recently permitted Texas to use a mid‑decade map adopted for partisan advantage.