The US Justice Department has entered the fray in a legal challenge brought forward by California Republicans, aiming to prevent the state's recently passed electoral boundaries.
This court case, filed in federal court, targets the map supported by the state's Democratic governor, which was created in response to a GOP redistricting effort in Texas.
"California's electoral map represents a brazen power grab that violates civil rights and mocks the electoral system," declared the US attorney general.
The Democratic party have expressed confidence that the redistricting plan will survive court challenges.
"These opponents lost at the ballot box and they are likely to face defeat in the judicial system," commented a representative for the governor.
Legal Basis
The lawsuit claims that California's map improperly used racial considerations to significantly advantage Latino communities in contravention of the US Constitution.
"It is unconstitutional to use race as a proxy to advance political interests, but that is precisely what the California General Assembly did with Proposition 50," stated a high-ranking representative from the DOJ's civil rights unit.
Political Context
This courtroom confrontation constitutes the major counterpunch by Democrats in the continuing redistricting war that began in Texas and has spread across various parts of the country.
Unlike other states, where GOP-controlled legislatures have enacted gerrymanders, California's plan required public consent, which it received with nearly 65% of the vote.
Wider Consequences
Democrats need to gain just a small number of GOP-controlled House seats to take control of the House of Representatives in next year's congressional elections.
The political group controlling the controlling share will shape the final years of the sitting president's term, deciding if a unified Republican Congress will persist in implementing its political program or face resistance, congressional probes and possible further challenges.
- Legal representation for the challengers is being provided by a prominent law firm
- The managing partner currently serves as senior DOJ official
- However, this attorney has been recused from the current litigation
