From Politico: A panel of federal judges has blocked Texas’ newly redrawn congressional map — which made five districts in the state more favorable to Republicans — saying the plan appeared to be an illegal race-based gerrymander.
In a 2-1 ruling, the court ordered Texas to rely instead on the boundaries legislators drew in 2021. The new map, the majority concluded, appears likely to be unconstitutional and was drawn at the urging of the Trump administration.
“The map ultimately passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor — the 2025 Map — achieved all but one of the racial objectives that DOJ demanded,” U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Brown, a Galveston-based Trump appointee, wrote for the panel majority.
The report notes that Republicans are likely to appeal the ruling.
The Texas effort to make five districts in the state more favorable to Republicans is what then prompted California to push a similar effort to redraw their map to make five districts in their state more favorable to Democrats.
BREAKING: A panel of federal judges has enjoined Texas from using its redrawn congressional maps , ordering the state to use its 2021 boundaries. https://t.co/8flrn3RDMs pic.twitter.com/KXsZzxrFpm
— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) November 18, 2025
The court also sharply rejected the notion that its ruling would disrupt the midterms. The filing deadline hasn’t passed, the judges say, and if anyone is to blame, it’s the state for operating on a rushed timeline. https://t.co/arDdhYnj5k pic.twitter.com/NwL2DnFXTZ
— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) November 18, 2025
READ MORE from Politico.
A panel of federal judges has blocked Texas’ newly-redrawn congressional map — which made five districts in the state more favorable to Republicans — saying the plan appeared to be an illegal race-based gerrymander. https://t.co/3ejFyIa95I
— POLITICO (@politico) November 18, 2025
Breaking: Federal court blocks Texas from using new congressional gerrymander in 2026 midterms.https://t.co/A1VDFp2zOJ
— Texas Tribune (@TexasTribune) November 18, 2025
Federal court bars Texas from using newly drawn Republican-friendly US House maps in the 2026 midterms. https://t.co/hnHCearxU9
— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) November 18, 2025
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