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The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed California to use a voter-approved congressional map that is favorable to Democrats for this year’s elections, rejecting a last-ditch plea by state Republicans and the Trump administration. The justices denied the appeal on the court’s emergency docket without explanation, a practice that is common on emergency requests.
The decision keeps the new district lines in place for the current election cycle, including districts designed to flip up to five seats currently held by Republicans. With control of Congress on the line in the midterms, the ruling extends the immediate effect of what both parties have framed as part of a broader redistricting fight nationwide.
The court’s emergency action came after earlier litigation over whether the California map improperly relied on race. Republicans, joined by the Trump administration, argued that the plan violated equal protection. A lower court disagreed, voting 2-1 to allow the map to proceed.
The Supreme Court previously allowed Texas’ Republican-friendly map to be used in 2026, despite a lower-court ruling that it likely discriminates on the basis of race. In December, Justice Samuel Alito wrote that it appeared both states had adopted new maps for political advantage, noting that political advantage alone has not been treated by the high court as a sufficient basis for a federal lawsuit.
California’s Democratic leaders responded quickly to the Supreme Court’s decision. Gov. Gavin Newsom celebrated the ruling, saying on social media that Trump had “started this redistricting war” and would “end up losing out in the November midterms,” when control of Congress is at stake. Attorney General Rob Bonta said the ruling was “good news not only for Californians, but for our democracy.”
On the other side, the state Republican Party said it would keep fighting against the map’s use in future elections. Michael Columbo, counsel for the plaintiffs, said in a statement, “We will continue to vigorously argue for Equal Protection under the law for all of California’s voters.”
A strategist who previously led the California Republican Party said the ruling means “this year’s elections will take place on the new lines shrinking the already very small Republican delegation from California.” California officials said filing for congressional primaries begins on Monday.
Associated Press reporters Michael Blood in Los Angeles and Lindsay Whitehurst contributed to the report.