Texas Seeks Supreme Court Review of Racial Gerrymandering Ruling on Trump-Backed Voting Map

Texas officials reported that Governor Greg Abbott has filed an appeal to the Supreme Court regarding a ruling that the state's newly redrawn voting map, which was passed by lawmakers at the urging of President Trump, is based on racial gerrymandering. The three-judge panel had earlier placed a temporary block on the map, ordering the state to use the district maps from the last two elections. According to a statement released by Abbott, a Republican, the claim that the maps are discriminatory is "absurd and unsupported by the testimony offered during ten days of hearings." He also stated that the ruling is "clearly erroneous and undermines the authority the U.S. Constitution assigns to the Texas Legislature by imposing a different map by judicial edict." The map in question was drawn to give Republicans an advantage in flipping as many as five House seats. The ruling was made by a three-judge panel, which had been tasked with reviewing the state's redistricting efforts. The panel's decision was based on evidence presented during a 10-day hearing, which included testimony from experts and lawmakers. The panel's ruling was seen as a significant setback for Republican lawmakers, who had been pushing for the new map. The controversy surrounding the map has been ongoing for months, with critics arguing that it was designed to disenfranchise minority voters. The map was drawn to give Republicans an advantage in several key districts, including those in the Houston area. The map was also seen as an attempt to undo the gains made by Democrats in the 2020 elections. In a statement, the plaintiffs in the case, who are represented by the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF), expressed disappointment with the governor's decision to appeal. "We are disappointed, but not surprised, by Governor Abbott's decision to appeal this ruling," said Nina Perales, vice president of litigation for MALDEF. "The court's decision was a clear victory for the people of Texas, and we are confident that it will be upheld on appeal." The appeal is expected to be heard by the Supreme Court in the coming months. In the meantime, the state will be required to use the district maps from the last two elections. The outcome of the appeal is likely to have significant implications for the state's electoral landscape, and could potentially impact the balance of power in the Texas Legislature. The Supreme Court has not yet announced a timeline for hearing the appeal, but it is expected to be decided in the coming months. The court's decision will have significant implications for the state's electoral landscape, and could potentially impact the balance of power in the Texas Legislature.