The US Justice Department have entered the fray in a legal challenge initiated by California Republicans, aiming to block the California's newly approved electoral boundaries.
This court case, submitted to federal court, challenges the map supported by the state's Democratic governor, which was created in response to a Republican-led gerrymander in Texas.
"The state's electoral map constitutes a brazen power grab that tramples on civil rights and mocks the democratic process," declared the US attorney general.
Democrats have expressed confidence that the redistricting plan will withstand 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.
Legal Basis
The lawsuit asserts that California's map improperly used racial considerations to heavily favor Latino communities in violation of the US Constitution.
"It is unconstitutional to use race as a substitute to further partisan goals, but that is exactly what the state legislature did with Proposition 50," stated a senior official from the DOJ's civil rights unit.
Broader Implications
The legal battle constitutes the major counterpunch by Democrats in the ongoing redistricting war that started with Texas and has extended to various parts of the country.
Unlike other states, where GOP-controlled legislatures have implemented partisan maps, California's plan needed voter approval, which it obtained with approximately two-thirds of the vote.
Wider Consequences
Democrats need to gain just a handful of Republican-held House seats to gain majority of the chamber in next year's congressional elections.
The party that holds the majority will influence the final years of the current administration, deciding if a unified Republican Congress will continue to deliver its political program or face resistance, investigations and potential additional obstacles.
- Legal representation for the challengers is being handled by a well-known legal group
- The firm's founder currently holds the position of senior DOJ official
- Nevertheless, this individual has been removed from the current litigation
