US Justice Department Intervenes in Lawsuit to Halt the State of California's New Electoral Map
The US Justice Department has entered the fray in a lawsuit initiated by California Republicans, aiming to block the California's newly approved electoral boundaries.
This legal action, filed in a US district court, challenges the map supported by the state's Democratic governor, which was created in reaction against a Republican-led gerrymander in Texas.
"California's electoral map represents a blatant attempt to seize control that tramples on civil rights and mocks the democratic process," stated the US attorney general.
Democrats have voiced assurance that the redistricting plan will withstand legal scrutiny.
"These opponents lost at the ballot box and they are likely to also lose in court," commented a representative for the governor.
Legal Basis
The lawsuit asserts that California's map improperly used race as a factor to heavily favor Hispanic voters in violation of the federal constitution.
"It is unconstitutional to use race as a proxy to further partisan goals, but that is precisely what the California General Assembly did with Proposition 50," stated a senior official from the DOJ's civil rights unit.
Broader Implications
The legal battle constitutes the major response by the Democratic party in the ongoing redistricting war that began in Texas and has spread across multiple states.
Unlike other states, where Republican state legislatures have implemented partisan maps, California's plan needed voter approval, which it obtained with nearly 65% of the vote.
Wider Consequences
Democrats need to gain just a small number of GOP-controlled House seats to gain majority of the House of Representatives in next year's midterm election.
The political group controlling the majority will shape the remaining period of the current administration, deciding if a GOP-controlled legislature will continue to deliver its political program or encounter opposition, congressional probes and possible additional obstacles.
- Legal representation for the plaintiffs is being provided by a prominent law firm
- The firm's founder currently holds the position of assistant attorney general
- Nevertheless, this attorney has been recused from the current litigation