The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed a last-minute emergency appeal by California Republicans seeking to block a new congressional map that would likely secure five additional House seats for Democrats in the 2026 midterm elections.

The high court’s decision allowed Proposition 50—a statewide ballot initiative approved by voters in November—to proceed with its enacted redistricting plan. In a single-sentence ruling, justices rejected Republican efforts to compel California to retain the old congressional map during pending legal challenges.

The move follows the Court’s earlier December decision in Abbott v. League of United Latin American Citizens, where it greenlit Texas’ own partisan map designed to shift five House seats to Republicans after a lower court had blocked its implementation on racial gerrymandering grounds. Chief Justice Roberts noted during that ruling that both states’ maps were driven by “partisan advantage pure and simple.”

California’s path was more complex than Texas’. While the state legislature adopted Proposition 50 in August, it required voters to amend the constitution via a November ballot initiative—approved by roughly two-thirds of Californians—to override the independent redistricting commission’s usual authority. The initiative would take effect for the 2026–2030 congressional elections.

Attorney Mark Meuser, representing California Republicans, stated the Supreme Court’s refusal to issue an injunction does not end the legal battle: “This case will move back to the district court where we resolve the merits of the lawsuit. It is still possible that the Court will stop the Proposition 50 map from controlling the 2028 and 2030 elections.”

Governor Gavin Newsom framed Proposition 50 as a response to Texas’ redistricting efforts under former President Donald Trump, calling it a defense against “a power grab.” Both Newsom and Republican Governor Greg Abbott asserted their maps were politically motivated, not racially discriminatory. However, California Republicans argued the initiative constituted a “pernicious and unconstitutional use of race” intended to maximize Latino voting blocs for Democrats.

The Court’s latest decision effectively nullifies the recent mid-cycle redistricting maneuvers in both states, leaving California’s new map—and its projected impact on 2026 elections—uncontested by federal courts at this stage.