The United States Supreme Court has blocked a move in New York to redraw the congressional map of the state’s only Republican-led district ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, ruling the decision unconstitutional.

Earlier this year, a New York state judge, Jeffrey Pearlman, had ordered the redrawal of the Staten Island-based 11th District, which Republican congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis represents, stating that the map diluted Black and Latino voting power.

Subsequently, the judge ordered New York’s independent redistricting commission to redraw the map, prompting Ms Malliotakis to immediately file an emergency appeal at the Supreme Court, citing the unconstitutionality of the “racial gerrymander”.

In a 6-3 majority judgment on Monday, the apex court sided with Ms Malliotakis and halted the attempt to redraw the district’s map ahead of the midterm elections as lead Justice Samuel Alito argued the state court’s judgment “blatantly discriminates on the basis of race”.

Even though the lawmaker had appealed the initial decision in the New York court system, Mr Alito stated that the court had to intervene now because “there is an unacceptably strong possibility that the applicants’ appeal in the state court system will not conclude until it is too late for us to review the ultimate decision.”

The three liberal justices dissented.

Reacting to the ruling on X, Ms Malliotakis said the verdict restored the public’s trust in the American judicial system, while alleging the politicalisation of the New York court system and its judges.

“Today’s decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to keep New York’s 11th Congressional District intact helps restore the public’s confidence in our judicial system and proves the challenge to our district lines was always meritless. The plaintiffs in this case attempted to manipulate our state’s courts to use race as a weapon to rig our elections,” the lawmaker said.

She added, “That was wrong and, as demonstrated by today’s ruling, clearly unconstitutional. Unfortunately, the politicisation of New York’s courts and its judges necessitated action from the nation’s highest court.  

“I thank the Justices who stopped the voters on Staten Island and in Southern Brooklyn from being stripped of their ability to elect a representative who reflects their values. Whether I serve another term in Congress is a decision for the voters, not Democrat party bosses and their high-priced lawyers.”