Supreme Court Approves Texas Congressional Map Favoring Republicans

In a 6-3 decision on December 4, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court permitted Texas to implement its new congressional redistricting map for the 2026 elections. The map, advocated by former President Donald Trump, is designed to add five Republican-leaning districts, potentially shifting the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The ruling overturned a prior decision by a federal court in El Paso, which had found the map likely discriminated based on race. The Supreme Court's conservative majority emphasized that the Texas legislature's primary intent was partisan advantage, not racial discrimination. Justice Samuel Alito noted that the legislature had "avowedly partisan goals." Conversely, the liberal justices, including Justice Elena Kagan, dissented, expressing concern that the ruling could perpetuate unconstitutional racial gerrymandering.

Critics argue that the new map dilutes the voting power of minority communities by consolidating them into districts where white voters, who typically have higher turnout rates, could dominate election outcomes. Despite these concerns, Texas officials have lauded the Supreme Court's decision as a victory for state sovereignty and conservative values.

This ruling underscores the ongoing tension between state-led redistricting efforts and federal oversight, highlighting the complex interplay between partisan objectives and the protection of voting rights.