Federal authorities has entered the fray in a legal challenge brought forward by California Republicans, aiming to halt the California's recently passed electoral boundaries.
This court case, submitted to federal court, targets the map supported by the state's Democratic governor, which was developed in reaction against a GOP redistricting effort in Texas.
"The state's electoral map represents a blatant attempt to seize control that tramples on civil rights and mocks the electoral system," declared the US attorney general.
The Democratic party have expressed confidence that the new maps will withstand legal scrutiny.
"The plaintiffs lost at the ballot box and they are likely to face defeat in the judicial system," commented a representative for the governor.
Legal Basis
The lawsuit asserts that California's map improperly used race as a factor to significantly advantage Hispanic voters in violation 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 Proposition 50," stated a senior official from the DOJ's civil rights unit.
Political Context
The legal battle constitutes the major response by the Democratic party in the ongoing redistricting war that started with Texas and has spread across various parts of the country.
In contrast to elsewhere, where GOP-controlled legislatures have implemented partisan maps, 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 take control of the House of Representatives in next year's midterm election.
The political group controlling the controlling share will shape the final years of the current administration, determining whether a GOP-controlled legislature will continue to deliver its political program or face resistance, investigations and possible further challenges.
- Legal counsel for the plaintiffs is being provided by a well-known legal group
- The managing partner currently serves as assistant attorney general
- Nevertheless, this attorney has been removed from the current litigation
