The US Justice Department has entered the fray in a lawsuit brought forward by California Republicans, seeking to halt the California's recently passed electoral boundaries.
This court case, filed in a US district court, challenges the map supported by the state's Democratic governor, which was developed in response to a GOP redistricting effort in Texas.
"The state's electoral map represents a blatant attempt to seize control that tramples on civil rights and undermines the democratic process," stated the US attorney general.
Democrats have expressed confidence that the redistricting plan will survive legal scrutiny.
"These opponents were defeated in the election and soon they will face defeat in the judicial system," stated a representative for the governor.
Constitutional Challenge
The lawsuit claims that California's map wrongfully utilized race as a factor to significantly advantage Latino communities in contravention of the US Constitution.
"Race cannot be used as a substitute to advance political interests, but that is precisely what the California General Assembly did with Proposition 50," stated a senior official from the DOJ's civil rights unit.
Political Context
The legal battle constitutes the most significant response by Democrats in the continuing political battle that began in Texas and has extended to various parts of the country.
Unlike other states, where GOP-controlled legislatures have enacted gerrymanders, California's plan needed voter approval, which it received with nearly 65% of the vote.
Wider Consequences
The Democratic party need to flip just a small number of GOP-controlled House seats to gain majority of the chamber in next year's congressional elections.
The political group controlling the controlling share will shape the remaining period of the sitting president's term, determining whether a GOP-controlled legislature will continue to deliver its political program or face resistance, investigations and potential further challenges.
- Legal representation for the plaintiffs is being provided by a prominent law firm
- The firm's founder currently holds the position of senior DOJ official
- However, this individual has been removed from this particular case
