The US Justice Department have officially joined a legal challenge brought forward by California Republicans, aiming to prevent the state's recently passed congressional redistricting map.
This legal action, submitted to federal court, targets the map supported by the state's Democratic governor, which was developed in reaction against a Republican-led gerrymander in Texas.
"The state's redistricting scheme constitutes a brazen power grab that violates voting rights and mocks the democratic process," stated the US attorney general.
Democrats have expressed confidence that the new maps will withstand court challenges.
"The plaintiffs lost at the ballot box and soon they will also lose in court," commented a representative for the governor.
Legal Basis
The legal challenge claims that California's map wrongfully utilized race as a factor to heavily favor Hispanic voters in contravention of the federal constitution.
"It is unconstitutional to use race as a substitute to advance political interests, but that is precisely what the California General Assembly did with Proposition 50," stated a high-ranking representative from the Civil Rights Division.
Political Context
The legal battle represents the major counterpunch by the Democratic party in the ongoing redistricting war that started with Texas and has extended to multiple states.
Unlike other states, where GOP-controlled legislatures have implemented partisan maps, California's plan required voter approval, which it received with nearly 65% of the vote.
National Implications
Democrats need to gain just a small number of Republican-held House seats to gain majority of the chamber in next year's congressional elections.
The political group controlling the controlling share will influence the final years of the sitting president's term, determining whether a GOP-controlled legislature will persist in implementing its political program or face resistance, investigations and potential further challenges.
- Legal representation for the challengers is being handled by a well-known legal group
- The managing partner currently holds the position of senior DOJ official
- Nevertheless, this attorney has been recused from this particular case
