U.S. Supreme Court Restores Texas GOP Map Amid Gerrymandering Concerns

UPDATE: The U.S. Supreme Court has just announced the temporary restoration of Texas’ GOP-heavy congressional map. This urgent decision follows a lower court’s finding that the map likely constitutes racial gerrymandering.

Issued on Friday night, the order from Justice Samuel Alito protects a congressional map that could provide the GOP with an additional five U.S. House seats. This ruling comes as the justices deliberate on a more permanent solution, heightening the stakes for upcoming elections.

Just an hour prior to the decision, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed an appeal, requesting a ruling by December 1. In an expedited process, Alito has mandated that the plaintiffs, a coalition of civil rights groups, respond by 5 p.m. Monday.

The clock is ticking for congressional candidates in Texas, who began filing for office earlier this month. They have until December 8—just over two weeks away—to declare their candidacies for the March 3 primaries.

“The urgency of this situation cannot be overstated. The implications of the Supreme Court’s decision will reverberate through the electoral landscape,” said a source close to the case.

This redistricting maneuver, pushed by Texas Republicans at the direction of Donald Trump, has raised significant concerns. Critics argue it was designed to minimize Republican losses in the closely contested U.S. House, where Democrats are eyeing opportunities to reclaim control.

A lower court previously ruled that the redistricting plan likely violates the U.S. Constitution, asserting it was drawn based on racial criteria rather than for partisan gain. Despite this, Texas officials, including Governor Greg Abbott, maintain their goal is to secure more GOP seats.

The controversy echoes a similar legal battle from 2011, when a Republican-friendly congressional map was deemed unconstitutional. The timeline for a resolution is critical, as the previous case delayed the primaries due to late map implementations.

As the Supreme Court deliberates, all eyes are on Texas. The outcome could dramatically reshape the political landscape ahead of crucial elections. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.