WASHINGTON, D.C.—With a one-sentence decision, the U.S. Supreme Court today cleared the way for California’s Proposition 50 map to go into effect for the 2026 midterm elections. The decision leaves in place the ruling by a three-judge federal panel last month.

“This decision is a victory for California and the voters who overwhelmingly supported Proposition 50,” said Roman Palomares, LULAC National President and Chairman. “It upholds fair representation and makes one thing clear: politicians do not get to rewrite the rules after the people have spoken.”

“In reaffirming the lower court's decision, the Supreme Court recognized what has been clear all along: Proposition 50 reflects a political decision, not an unlawful racial gerrymander,” said Tianna Mays, legal director for Democracy Defenders Action. “Democracy Defenders Action is proud to celebrate this important victory with LULAC and all California voters.”

“The Supreme Court properly rejected the plaintiffs’ ill-conceived and offensive theory that Proposition 50 was a racial gerrymander that favored Latinos,” said Jon Greenbaum, founder of Justice Legal Strategies, who co-counseled with Democracy Defenders Action. “Plaintiffs called this what it was, a political gerrymander, until they lost in the Legislature and at the polls, and only changed their tune in an effort to manufacture a legal claim.”

Democracy Defenders Action intervened in the case on behalf of LULAC.

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Democracy Defenders Action brings together a nonpartisan team to work with national, state, and local allies across the country to defend in real-time the foundations of our democracy.

The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation's oldest and largest Latino civil rights organization. Founded in 1929, LULAC is committed to advancing the rights and opportunities of Latino Americans through advocacy, community building, and education. For "more information about LULAC and its initiatives, please visit www.lulac.org.