Supreme Court Denies Injunction Against California Redistricting Map

Prop 50 map will remain in place after high court rejects GOP challenge

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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The Supreme Court has denied a request by Republicans for an emergency injunction against California's new Prop 50 redistricting map. The decision clears the way for the map, approved by voters in 2024, to remain in place ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Why it matters

The Supreme Court's ruling is a major victory for California Democrats, who pushed for the Prop 50 redistricting process as a way to reduce gerrymandering and create more competitive districts. Republicans had argued the map unfairly favored Democrats, but the court sided with the state in allowing the new districts to stand.

The details

Prop 50, passed by California voters in 2024, established an independent redistricting commission to draw new state and congressional district boundaries following the 2020 census. The Republican National Committee and California GOP filed an emergency request with the Supreme Court to block the map, claiming it was unconstitutional, but the justices denied the injunction request.

  • The Supreme Court denied the GOP's emergency injunction request on February 5, 2026.
  • Prop 50, which created the independent redistricting commission, was approved by California voters in 2024.

The players

Supreme Court

The highest court in the United States, which has the final say on the constitutionality of state laws and electoral maps.

Republican National Committee

The national organization of the Republican Party, which filed the emergency injunction request against California's Prop 50 redistricting map.

California GOP

The California state Republican Party, which joined the RNC in challenging the Prop 50 redistricting map.

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What they’re saying

“This is a major victory for fair and impartial redistricting in California. The Supreme Court has upheld the will of the voters in approving an independent process to draw district lines.”

— Alex Padilla, California Secretary of State (abc10.com)

What’s next

The new Prop 50 redistricting map will now be used for the 2026 midterm elections in California.

The takeaway

The Supreme Court's decision to allow California's independent redistricting process to move forward is a significant milestone in the ongoing battle over gerrymandering and fair representation. It demonstrates that voters can successfully enact reforms to combat partisan mapmaking when given the opportunity.