Federal court blocks Texas from using new GOP-drawn congressional map in 2026 midterms

EL PASO, TEXAS: On Tuesday, November 18, a three-judge panel in an El Paso district court issued a 2-1 ruling against the new congressional maps, directing Texas to implement the 2021 redistricting map for the 2026 midterm elections.

The ruling represents a major setback for President Donald Trump and Republicans, who had made Texas central to a national campaign to redraw maps ahead of the midterms.

Greg Abbott clashes with federal judges

Judge Jeffrey Brown wrote the court’s opinion, noting that the groups challenging the 2025 map had also previously contested the 2021 map on claims of discrimination. Despite this, Brown stated that there are multiple reasons why reverting to the 2021 map is the most legally sound and reasonable solution.

He said, "First, he noted, this remedy is the one requested by the Plaintiff Groups. Second, the 2021 Map was created by the Legislature, and courts generally favor legislative-drawn maps over judicial ones. Third, he pointed out that the State has already used the 2021 Map in two previous congressional elections and continues to use it in an ongoing special election."

Governor Greg Abbott and Republican lawmakers disagreed with the ruling, maintaining that both the 2021 and 2025 maps comply with the law and were properly enacted. Abbott argued that the 2025 map more accurately reflects Texans’ conservative voting patterns, including in districts with Hispanic majorities.

He said, “The Legislature redrew our congressional maps to better reflect Texans' conservative voting preferences and for no other reason. Any claim that these maps are discriminatory is absurd and unsupported by the testimony offered during ten days of hearings."

Abbott criticized the court’s decision, arguing that it “is clearly erroneous and undermines the authority the US Constitution assigns to the Texas Legislature by imposing a different map by judicial edict. The State of Texas will swiftly appeal to the United States Supreme Court.”

Similarly, Attorney General Ken Paxton announced that his office is appealing to the Supreme Court and requesting a stay of the lower court’s ruling. He added that the 2025 map is “entirely legal.”

Democrats escalate fight to block Texas GOP redistricting maps

The redistricting battle is the latest in ongoing efforts by Democrats to block the new law. Earlier this year, House Democrats left Texas to prevent the legislature from achieving a quorum, delaying the redistricting bill and other legislation.

Abbott sued Democratic leaders and called special sessions until enough lawmakers returned to allow the House to pass the bill, which Abbott then signed into law.

The legislature redrew 37 of Texas’ 38 congressional districts following record population growth and Republican gains among Hispanic and Black voters.

Donald Trump arrives to sign the 'No Men in Women's Sports' executive order in the East Room of the White House on February 5, 2025 in Washington, DC (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

The new maps could potentially flip up to five seats from Democrats to Republicans.

State Senator Phil King, one of the bill’s authors, said the maps were based on political preferences rather than race, noting that political performance is a permissible criterion for redistricting. He projected that the newly drawn districts could allow at least five more Republicans to be elected, though he acknowledged there are no guarantees and some districts remain competitive.

LULAC president Roman Palomares praised the court ruling, calling it a “victory for the people of Texas and for every voter who has the right to determine who will govern them and who will shape the laws and policies of this state.”