The US Justice Department have officially joined a lawsuit brought forward by California Republicans, aiming to prevent the state's recently passed electoral boundaries.
This legal action, filed in a US district court, challenges the redistricting plan supported by the state's Democratic governor, which was developed in reaction against a GOP redistricting effort in Texas.
"The state's electoral map constitutes a blatant attempt to seize control that violates civil rights and mocks the electoral system," stated the nation's top law enforcement official.
Democrats have voiced assurance that the new maps will withstand legal scrutiny.
"The plaintiffs were defeated in the election and soon they will face defeat in the judicial system," stated a representative for the governor.
Constitutional Challenge
The legal challenge asserts that California's map improperly used race as a factor to significantly advantage Hispanic voters in violation of the US Constitution.
"It is unconstitutional to use race as a proxy to advance political interests, but that is exactly what the state legislature did with Proposition 50," stated a senior official from the Civil Rights Division.
Political Context
The legal battle represents the major counterpunch by Democrats in the ongoing political battle that started with Texas and has spread across multiple states.
Unlike other states, where Republican state legislatures have implemented partisan maps, California's plan needed voter approval, which it obtained with nearly 65% of the vote.
National Implications
The Democratic party need to gain just a handful of GOP-controlled House seats to gain majority of the chamber in next year's midterm election.
The political group controlling the controlling share will influence 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, investigations and possible additional obstacles.
- Legal representation for the plaintiffs is being provided by a well-known legal group
- The managing partner currently serves as senior DOJ official
- Nevertheless, this attorney has been recused from the current litigation