California leaders have one week to respond to efforts to block the state’s new congressional maps. California Republicans this week appealed their case to the U.S. Supreme Court to challenge the results of the voter-approved Proposition 50. They seek an injunction to prevent the new maps from being used this year in the midterm elections, arguing the maps violated the Voting Rights Act by favoring Latino and Hispanic voters. Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan on Thursday ordered California to file a responsive brief by Jan. 29. A McGeorge law professor told KCRA 3 the court usually wants briefings from both sides before reaching a decision. If the injunction is granted, the state would not be able to use the new maps until an appeal was decided. Also Thursday, the Trump administration filed a brief in support of Republicans’ application before the court. Under Proposition 50, maps targeting five districts were redrawn to become more favorable for Democrats. The maps are set to be used for the 2026, 2028 and 2030 elections.Proposition 50 was originally introduced as a countermeasure to Texas’ efforts to send more Republicans to the U.S. House of Representatives. Ahead of the midterm elections, where power shifts can often happen, President Donald Trump first asked Texas to redraw its districts to send more Republicans to Congress.Earlier this month, a panel of federal judges upheld the new maps. The Supreme Court has allowed Texas’ newly drawn maps to proceed after Democrats there claimed the maps were racially discriminatory. KCRA 3 reached out to the governor’s and attorney general’s offices for comment.”We remain confident in the legality of Proposition 50,” the AG’s office said earlier this week about the emergency application. See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

California leaders have one week to respond to efforts to block the state’s new congressional maps.

California Republicans this week appealed their case to the U.S. Supreme Court to challenge the results of the voter-approved Proposition 50. They seek an injunction to prevent the new maps from being used this year in the midterm elections, arguing the maps violated the Voting Rights Act by favoring Latino and Hispanic voters.

Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan on Thursday ordered California to file a responsive brief by Jan. 29.

A McGeorge law professor told KCRA 3 the court usually wants briefings from both sides before reaching a decision.

If the injunction is granted, the state would not be able to use the new maps until an appeal was decided.

Also Thursday, the Trump administration filed a brief in support of Republicans’ application before the court.

Under Proposition 50, maps targeting five districts were redrawn to become more favorable for Democrats. The maps are set to be used for the 2026, 2028 and 2030 elections.

Proposition 50 was originally introduced as a countermeasure to Texas’ efforts to send more Republicans to the U.S. House of Representatives. Ahead of the midterm elections, where power shifts can often happen, President Donald Trump first asked Texas to redraw its districts to send more Republicans to Congress.

Earlier this month, a panel of federal judges upheld the new maps.

The Supreme Court has allowed Texas’ newly drawn maps to proceed after Democrats there claimed the maps were racially discriminatory.

KCRA 3 reached out to the governor’s and attorney general’s offices for comment.

“We remain confident in the legality of Proposition 50,” the AG’s office said earlier this week about the emergency application.

See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel