Court’s latest gerrymandering ruling signals a partisan tilt in 2026 midterms

The Supreme Court’s six-justice Republican majority issued a ruling that weakens protections against racial gerrymandering by Alabama, arguing state maps can be drawn to dilute nonwhite voting power. The decision diverges from earlier guidance in Callais and Allen, prompting Justice Sotomayor’s dissent that this could provoke chaos in Alabama’s upcoming primary and undermine the Voting Rights Act. Analysts say the Court is broadening states’ ability to shape electoral maps, which could tilt the 2026 midterms toward Republicans by effectively giving them an extra House seat.