Federal authorities has entered the fray in a legal challenge brought forward by California Republicans, seeking to prevent the state's newly approved congressional redistricting map.
This court case, filed in federal court, challenges the map championed 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 tramples on civil rights and mocks the electoral system," declared the US attorney general.
The Democratic party have voiced assurance that the new maps will withstand court challenges.
"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 asserts that California's map improperly used racial considerations to significantly advantage Latino communities in contravention of the federal constitution.
"Race cannot be used as a substitute to further partisan goals, but that is exactly what the California General Assembly did with Proposition 50," argued a high-ranking representative from the DOJ's civil rights unit.
Broader Implications
The legal battle represents the major counterpunch by Democrats in the continuing redistricting war that began in Texas and has spread across multiple states.
Unlike other states, where GOP-controlled legislatures have enacted gerrymanders, California's plan needed public consent, which it obtained with approximately two-thirds of the vote.
National Implications
The Democratic party need to gain just a handful of GOP-controlled House seats to gain majority of the House of Representatives in next year's midterm election.
The political group controlling the controlling share will influence the remaining period of the current administration, determining whether a GOP-controlled legislature will persist in implementing its political program or encounter opposition, investigations and possible further challenges.
- Legal representation for the plaintiffs is being provided by a prominent law firm
- The managing partner currently holds the position of assistant attorney general
- Nevertheless, this individual has been removed from this particular case
