Federal authorities has entered the fray in a legal challenge initiated by California Republicans, aiming to prevent the California's recently passed congressional redistricting map.
This court case, filed in a US district court, challenges the map championed by Governor Gavin Newsom, which was created in response to a GOP redistricting effort in Texas.
"California's electoral map constitutes a blatant attempt to seize control that violates voting rights and mocks the democratic process," declared the US attorney general.
Democrats have voiced assurance that the new maps will survive court challenges.
"The plaintiffs lost at the ballot box and they are likely to face defeat in the judicial system," commented a spokesperson for Governor Newsom.
Constitutional Challenge
The lawsuit claims that California's map improperly used race as a factor to heavily favor Hispanic voters in contravention of the federal constitution.
"Race cannot be used as a substitute to further partisan goals, but that is exactly what the state legislature did with the redistricting measure," stated a high-ranking representative from the Civil Rights Division.
Political Context
The legal battle constitutes the major response by the Democratic party in the continuing redistricting war that started with Texas and has extended to various parts of the country.
Unlike other states, where Republican state legislatures have enacted gerrymanders, California's plan required public consent, which it obtained with approximately two-thirds of the vote.
National Implications
The Democratic party need to gain just a small number of Republican-held House seats to gain majority of the House of Representatives in next year's congressional elections.
The party that holds the controlling share will influence the remaining period of the current administration, deciding if a GOP-controlled legislature will continue to deliver its political program or encounter opposition, investigations and possible further challenges.
- Legal representation for the plaintiffs is being provided by a well-known legal group
- The managing partner currently holds the position of senior DOJ official
- Nevertheless, this attorney has been removed from the current litigation
