U.S. Supreme Court [Reuters Yonhap News]

Gerrymandering, the redrawing of electoral districts in several states to gain an advantage in the upcoming November midterm elections, is expected to become a significant electoral variable, with the judiciary allowing such adjustments.

According to U.S. media outlets including The New York Times, the Supreme Court on the 4th (local time) rejected a request from California Republicans to block the use of California's new electoral map in the midterm elections.

California, led by Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom, approved a redrawn electoral map through a referendum last November, which is expected to help Democrats secure an additional five House seats.

This move was a countermeasure by Democrats after Republicans in Texas had already redrawn districts in their favor, increasing the likelihood of them securing five additional House seats.

In Texas, progressive civil rights groups filed lawsuits arguing that the new redistricting plan diluted the voting rights of Black and Hispanic voters, constituting racial gerrymandering prohibited by law. However, the Supreme Court sided with the Republicans.

There is a precedent in the U.S. where the Supreme Court has ruled that while redistricting for political purposes is permissible, redistricting based on race is unconstitutional.

Given that Black and Hispanic voters have historically leaned towards the Democratic Party, redistricting aimed at benefiting a particular party has, in effect, been based on the race of the voters.

Both the state governments of California and Texas argued that their redistricting efforts were driven solely by political motivations, and the Supreme Court concurred.

Redistricting with the midterm elections in mind is also underway in other states.

According to The Washington Post, Missouri, Ohio, North Carolina, and Utah have adopted electoral maps that favor Republicans.

Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, which are strongholds for Democrats, are also pursuing redistricting.

Legal battles surrounding redistricting are ongoing in these states as well.