HOUSTON, United States

The US Supreme Court on Wednesday denied California Republicans' request to block the state's new congressional map favoring Democrats, according to media reports.

The new map was approved by voters in November, potentially adding five new Democratic congressional seats in this year's midterm elections.

The decision by the nation's highest court clears the way for California to try and help Democrats take back control of the US House of Representatives, which Republicans are currently holding onto by a razor-thin majority.

Governor Gavin Newsom signed the legislation that enacted the current redistricting map in response to a rare mid-decade redistricting plan approved by Texas Republicans last year.

The new Texas map, signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott, is aimed at helping Republicans maintain control of the House by adding potentially five new Republican seats in the state.

California's new Democrat-friendly voter map will now offset the new Republican-favored seats that were created in Texas.

The Texas redistricting map was pushed by President Donald Trump to boost Republicans' chances to keep the majority in the House during this year's midterm elections.

Similar battles have ensued in other states to create new congressional maps in this cat-and-mouse political fight, including in Alabama, Louisiana, North Carolina and North Dakota.