Supreme Court refuses to hear challenge to Gavin Newsom's redistricting plan

The Supreme Court has denied an emergency request from the California Republican Party to block the state’s new congressional map for this year’s midterms. 

In a one-sentence, unsigned order, the Supreme Court declined the emergency request. However, the order is not final, and the case could return in the future.

The California Republican Party had challenged the state’s congressional map that would add up to five Democratic-leaning seats, arguing it was unconstitutional racial gerrymandering. The determination follows a federal district court ruling last month that refused to block the map and concluded that it was drawn on a partisan basis rather than a racial one. The Supreme Court has previously determined that partisan gerrymandering cannot be reviewed or overturned by federal courts.

California Republicans have pointed to the new 13th Congressional District, which covers parts of the Central Valley. They argue that Mapmaker Paul Mitchell’s claims that the district was intentionally designed to increase Latino voting is a violation of the equal protection clause. 

“The evidence before the Court tells a consistent and damning story,” the California Republican Party argued.

The map was passed last November with the vocal support of Governor Gavin Newsom following Texas’ redistricting efforts, which could add up to five Republican seats. In December, the Supreme Court allowed the Texas map to be used.

"With an eye on the upcoming 2026 midterm elections, several States have in recent months redrawn their congressional districts in ways that are predicted to favor the State's dominant political party," the court said in December. “Texas adopted the first new map, then California responded with its own map for the stated purpose of counteracting what Texas had done."