The US Justice Department has officially joined a legal challenge brought forward by California Republicans, aiming to prevent the California's newly approved congressional redistricting map.
This court case, filed in a US district court, challenges the map supported by the state's Democratic governor, which was developed in reaction against a Republican-led gerrymander in Texas.
"California's electoral map constitutes a brazen power grab that violates civil rights and mocks the democratic process," declared the nation's top law enforcement official.
Democrats have voiced assurance that the new maps will survive legal scrutiny.
"The plaintiffs were defeated in the election and they are likely to face defeat in the judicial system," stated a representative for the governor.
Constitutional Challenge
The lawsuit claims that California's map wrongfully utilized racial considerations to heavily favor Hispanic voters in violation of the federal constitution.
"It is unconstitutional to use race as a proxy to advance political interests, but that is precisely what the state legislature did with the redistricting measure," argued a high-ranking representative from the Civil Rights Division.
Political Context
The legal battle constitutes the major counterpunch by the Democratic party in the continuing redistricting war that started with Texas and has spread across various parts of the country.
Unlike other states, where Republican state legislatures have implemented partisan maps, California's plan needed voter approval, which it received with nearly 65% of the vote.
Wider Consequences
Democrats need to gain just a handful of GOP-controlled House seats to take control of the House of Representatives in next year's midterm election.
The political group controlling the controlling share will shape the remaining period of the sitting president's term, deciding if a GOP-controlled legislature will persist in implementing its political program or face resistance, congressional probes and possible further challenges.
- Legal counsel for the plaintiffs is being provided by a prominent law firm
- The managing partner currently holds the position of senior DOJ official
- However, this individual has been recused from the current litigation
