WACO, Texas (KXXV) — A panel of three federal judges has blocked Texas from using its newly drawn congressional maps for the 2026 midterm elections, ruling late Tuesday that the redistricting plan was racially gerrymandered and cannot move forward.

Watch the full story here: Federal court blocks Texas’ new congressional map for 2026

The decision halts the map approved earlier this year and requires the state to revert to the district lines enacted in 2021. The ruling is a significant setback for Republicans who had hoped the new boundaries would give the GOP control of 30 of Texas’ 38 U.S. House seats.

McLennan County Democratic Chairman Mark Hays said his party had worried that the courts would not act fast enough.

“We were very much afraid that the wheels of justice would just run

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