Supreme Court backs Texas Congressional Map Favored by Republicans
WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court on Friday approved a new congressional map for Texas, drawn by the state’s Republican-controlled legislature, in a notable victory for the GOP ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.The decision allows the map to be used in upcoming elections, perhaps bolstering Republican chances of maintaining or expanding their majority in the House of Representatives.
The case centered on allegations that the Texas map violated Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act by diluting the voting power of minority voters. Civil rights groups and Democratic challengers argued the map unlawfully reduced the number of districts where minority voters could elect their preferred candidates. However, the Supreme Court sided with Texas officials, finding no evidence of discriminatory intent or effect.
This ruling arrives as the Supreme Court also considers two other election-related cases concerning deadlines for counting mailed ballots and limits on campaign contributions. The justices have agreed to hear arguments regarding whether mailed ballots postmarked by Election Day should be counted, following a triumphant challenge by the Republican Party against mississippi’s five-day grace period. Sixteen states currently allow such grace periods, a practice potentially threatened by the Court’s eventual decision, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Another case before the Court challenges a 2001 decision limiting how much political parties can spend on advertising in coordination with federal candidates. Republicans, including senator J.D. Vance, are challenging the ruling, while Democrats argue that limits are necessary to prevent corruption amid record campaign spending.