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California can move forward with a new U.S. House map that would boost Democrats' chances in the 2026 midterm elections, a federal court ruled Wednesday.
A three-judge panel in Los Angeles ruled 2-1 to deny requests from both state Republicans and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to block use of the map, giving Democrats a realistic chance of gaining up to five House seats in the midterm elections.
In November, California voters approved a ballot initiative, known as Proposition 50, that dramatically alters the state's congressional districts. The push for the new map was largely seen as an attempt to offset recent redistricting in Texas, which created more Republican-leaning districts.
“Republicans' feeble attempt to silence voters failed,” California Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement. “California voters overwhelmingly supported Proposition 50, to respond to Trump's fraud in Texas, and that is exactly what this court concluded.”
FEDERAL JUDGES BLOCK TEXAS FROM USING REDESIGNED CONGRESS MAP
California Gov. Gavin Newsom praised a federal court's decision allowing the state to move forward with a new congressional map. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
The complaint challenged California's efforts to redraw the state's congressional map, with attorneys from the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division arguing that race was “used as a proxy” to justify creating districts that benefit Democrats.
But California Democrats argued that the map was legal because it was drawn for partisan advantage.
In 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that partisan gerrymandering is a political issue and not for federal courts to decide. On Wednesday, the California panel sided with the state's argument, saying there was insufficient evidence that the maps were drawn based on race.
RED STATE MOVES FORWARD ON TRUMP-BACKED PUSH FOR NEW CONGRESSIVE MAP
California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks alongside his wife Jennifer Siebel Newsom after California's special election on Proposition 50, a measure that would temporarily redraw congressional districts, at the California Democratic Party headquarters in Sacramento, California, on November 4, 2025. (REUTERS/Fred Greaves)
“After reviewing the evidence, we conclude that it was exactly what one would think: it was partisan,” the judges wrote.
U.S. District Judge Kenneth Lee, appointed by President Donald Trump, said in dissent that at least one district was drawn using race as a factor “to curry favor with Latino groups and voters.”
Still, Republicans are expected to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court.
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Former Vice President Kamala Harris attends a Yes on Proposition 50 rally at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Saturday, November 1, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Eric Thayer/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
The panel's ruling marks a major victory for Democrats following the implementation of new congressional maps in several Republican-led states.
Last year, Missouri moved forward with redistricting that favors Republicans, and North Carolina's Republican-controlled legislature approved a new map that may lead to an additional congressional victory for the GOP.
“Californians voted overwhelmingly in favor of Proposition 50. Today's decision upholds the will of the people. It also means that, to date, all challenges against Proposition 50 have failed,” California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a statement. “I couldn't be more proud of my team for successfully defending this ballot initiative in court on behalf of Governor Newsom and Secretary of State Weber. We remain confident in the legality of Proposition 50.”
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House maps are typically redrawn every 10 years after the census, with the process rarely taking place in the middle of the decade. California relies on an independent commission to draw maps, while other states, including Texas, allow lawmakers to lead the effort.
To retake control of the House in the midterm elections, Democrats need to pick up just a handful of seats. Republicans currently have a narrow majority with 218 seats to 213 for Democrats.
Fox News Digital's Paul Steinhauser, Ashley Oliver and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
