The US Justice Department have officially joined a legal challenge brought forward by California Republicans, seeking to block the California's newly approved electoral boundaries.
This legal action, submitted to federal court, challenges the redistricting plan championed by the state's Democratic governor, which was created in response to a Republican-led gerrymander in Texas.
"The state's redistricting scheme constitutes a brazen power grab that tramples on civil rights and mocks the democratic process," declared the nation's top law enforcement official.
Democrats have expressed confidence that the new maps will withstand legal scrutiny.
"These opponents were defeated in the election and they are likely to also lose in court," commented a representative for the governor.
Constitutional Challenge
The lawsuit asserts that California's map improperly used racial considerations to heavily favor Hispanic voters in contravention of the federal constitution.
"Race cannot be used as a substitute to further partisan goals, but that is precisely what the state legislature did with Proposition 50," argued a senior official from the Civil Rights Division.
Political Context
The legal battle constitutes the major counterpunch by Democrats in the continuing political battle that began in Texas and has spread across multiple states.
In contrast to elsewhere, where GOP-controlled legislatures have enacted gerrymanders, California's plan required voter approval, which it received with nearly 65% of the vote.
Wider Consequences
Democrats need to gain just a small number of Republican-held House seats to gain majority of the House of Representatives in next year's midterm election.
The party that holds the majority will influence the final years of the sitting president's term, deciding if a GOP-controlled legislature will continue to deliver its agenda or face resistance, investigations and possible further challenges.
- Legal representation for the challengers is being handled by a prominent law firm
- The firm's founder currently holds the position of assistant attorney general
- However, this attorney has been removed from the current litigation
