Story perspectives

Supreme Court Clears GOP Maps, Warns Shadow Docket Bias

5/22/2026

Summary

Story summary

Supreme Court cleared Texas, Louisiana and Alabama to use congressional maps favoring Republicans for the 2026 midterms.
The Court struck down a Louisiana majority-Black House district on April 29 and lifted Alabama’s map block on May 11, leading the governor to postpone primaries in four districts.
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson warned the “shadow docket” rulings could seem partisan, noting scholars say they breach the Purcell principle against near-election changes.

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Story summary

Supreme Court cleared Texas, Louisiana and Alabama to use congressional maps favoring Republicans for the 2026 midterms.
The Court struck down a Louisiana majority-Black House district on April 29 and lifted Alabama’s map block on May 11, leading the governor to postpone primaries in four districts.
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson warned the “shadow docket” rulings could seem partisan, noting scholars say they breach the Purcell principle against near-election changes.