NAACP Celebrates Major Court Victory Blocking Texas’ Racially Gerrymandered Congressional Map

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 18, 2025

Contact: communications@naacpnet.org

WASHINGTON – Today, the NAACP celebrates a significant legal victory after a three-judge federal panel ruled that Texas cannot use its newly drawn congressional map in the 2026 elections, finding strong evidence of unconstitutional racial gerrymandering.

The decision comes in response to a lawsuit the NAACP filed in August 2025 with the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, arguing that Texas's mid-decade redistricting was designed to dilute Black voting power and strengthen white political control. 

NAACP President & CEO Derrick Johnson shared the following statement:

"The state of Texas is only 40 percent white, but white voters control over 73 percent of the state's congressional seats. It's quite obvious that Texas's effort to redistrict mid-decade, before next year's midterm elections, is racially motivated. The state's intent here is to reduce the members of Congress who represent Black communities, and that, in and of itself, is unconstitutional. 

"We applaud the federal judges' ruling today. This is a victory for the voters of Texas and for the fight to preserve democracy nationwide. We know that the fight against Trump's extremist efforts to redistrict is far from over — and we plan to stay engaged all the way. Democracy is at stake."

The ruling affirms what the NAACP has long argued – Texas's map was a deliberate attempt to silence Black voters ahead of a pivotal election cycle. 

The NAACP will continue working to ensure Texas adopts a lawful, representative map that reflects the state's diverse population and protects every voter's voice. NAACP also mobilized California residents to pass Proposition 50 this November, a move to protect Black and brown representation in Congress. 

In the fight to safeguard Black Americans' right to vote, the NAACP is currently pursuing litigation against the State of Missouri, and in counties across the country, over their unconstitutional, racially-motivated gerrymandering.

To learn more about how we're fighting to protect voting rights, visit our website.

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About NAACP

The NAACP advocates, agitates, and litigates for the civil rights due to Black America. Our legacy is built on the foundation of grassroots activism by the biggest civil rights pioneers of the 20th century and is sustained by 21st-century activists. From classrooms and courtrooms to city halls and Congress, our network of members across the country works to secure the social and political power that will end race-based discrimination. That work is rooted in racial equity, civic engagement, and supportive policies and institutions for all marginalized people. We are committed to a world without racism where Black people enjoy equitable opportunities in thriving communities.

NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund – also referred to as the NAACP-LDF - was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but now operates as a completely separate entity.