A federal court in Texas has struck down the state’s newly redrawn congressional map, ruling that lawmakers used race as a factor in designing the districts. The decision is a significant setback for Republican efforts to gain additional House seats ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Court Ruling Details

On Tuesday, a two-to-one majority at the US District Court for the Western District of Texas in El Paso blocked the map, citing “substantial evidence” of racial gerrymandering.

While partisan gerrymandering has been largely considered legal under U.S. precedent, the court emphasized that designing districts to disadvantage voters based on race or ethnicity violates both the U.S. Constitution and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

The majority opinion, authored by Judges David Guaderrama and Jeffrey V. Brown, stated:

“The public perception of this case is that it’s about politics. To be sure, politics played a role in drawing the 2025 Map. But it was much more than just politics.”

Judge Jerry Smith, a Reagan appointee, dissented from the ruling.

Background: Texas Redistricting Controversy

In August 2025, the Republican-controlled Texas legislature passed a new congressional map amid partisan tensions. Democrats staged a walkout in protest, arguing that the map diluted the voting power of Black and Hispanic communities.

Reports indicate that the Trump administration had encouraged state officials to redraw Texas districts to secure five additional Republican House seats, fueling accusations of partisan manipulation.

The redistricting in Texas also inspired similar efforts in North Carolina and Missouri, where Republicans sought to gain one extra House seat each through new maps.

Legal and Political Fallout

The court’s ruling restores the 2021 congressional map, under which Texas currently holds 25 Republican and 12 Democratic seats in the House of Representatives.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton immediately pledged to appeal the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court, calling the ruling an attempt by “the radical left to undermine the will of the people.” He argued that the “Big Beautiful Map” was legally enacted for partisan purposes.

Broader Implications for 2026 Midterms

The ruling could affect the balance of power in the House of Representatives, where all 435 seats will be contested in 2026. With Republicans holding a narrow majority, control of Congress may hinge on outcomes in key states like Texas.

Meanwhile, Democratic-led states are also pursuing redistricting strategies. In California, voters passed a ballot proposition in November 2025 to replace the independent redistricting commission with a partisan map, aiming to boost Democratic representation by five seats. This map is also facing legal challenges.

Key Issues Cited by Judges

Judge Brown highlighted that statements by Governor Greg Abbott and correspondence from Trump administration official Harmeet Dhillon suggested the 2025 map was influenced by racial considerations, not solely partisan goals. Brown noted that no majority-white districts were targeted, raising questions about the map’s motivations.

Civil rights groups hailed the ruling as a victory, emphasizing the importance of protecting voting rights for minority communities.