Federal court blocks Texas mid-decade map, keeps 2026 elections on 2021 lines

A three-judge federal panel blocked Texas from using its 2025 mid-decade congressional map, ordering the state to run the 2026 elections on the lines enacted in 2021. The ruling is a major setback for Republicans, who had sought to expand their delegation to roughly 30 of 38 seats and shore up the US House majority. The court found “substantial evidence” that the 2025 plan was a racial gerrymander and said voters’ interests are better served by reverting to the prior map while litigation continues, reports the New York Times.

The contested map was passed in an unusual special session and swiftly signed by Gov. Greg Abbott. Civil rights and voting groups sued, arguing the plan diluted Black and Hispanic voting strength in fast-growing regions including Houston, Dallas–Fort Worth, Austin, and the Rio Grande Valley. After a nine-day hearing, the panel concluded that Texas is unlikely to justify the changes at trial and that the equities favor preserving stability ahead of tight election deadlines.

Practically, the decision freezes candidate filing and campaign strategies around the 2021 districts, with filing deadlines already upon candidates. Texas officials will appeal to the US Supreme Court, where Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. is assigned to handle emergency matters for the state.