California Republicans Appeal to Supreme Court on New Map

California Republicans appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday to block the state from using a new congressional map in the 2026 midterm elections, arguing that the boundaries violate the Constitution by prioritizing race over partisan considerations in their design.

The emergency filing, submitted by the California Republican Party and individual Republican officials, seeks an injunction to reinstate the previous map used in recent election cycles. Challengers requested a decision by February 9, the start of the candidate filing period for California's June 2 primary. The appeal follows a 2-1 ruling earlier this month by a three-judge federal panel in Los Angeles, which rejected claims of racial gerrymandering and allowed the new map to take effect. Justice Elena Kagan, assigned to oversee emergency applications from the Ninth Circuit, received the request and is expected to seek a response from state officials before the full court acts.

The new map, approved by voters through Proposition 50 in a November special election, redraws California's 52 congressional districts to potentially deliver five additional seats to Democrats. Democrats currently hold 43 of those seats....