The US Justice Department has officially joined a lawsuit brought forward by California Republicans, aiming to halt the California's newly approved electoral boundaries.
This court case, filed in federal court, targets the redistricting plan supported by the state's Democratic governor, which was created in reaction against a Republican-led gerrymander in Texas.
"The state's electoral map represents a brazen power grab that tramples on civil rights and undermines the democratic process," stated the US attorney general.
Democrats have voiced assurance that the redistricting plan will survive legal scrutiny.
"The plaintiffs were defeated in the election and soon they will face defeat in the judicial system," commented a representative for the governor.
Constitutional Challenge
The lawsuit asserts that California's map wrongfully utilized race as a factor to significantly advantage Hispanic voters in contravention of the US Constitution.
"It is unconstitutional to use race as a substitute to further partisan goals, but that is exactly 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 response by Democrats in the continuing redistricting war that began in Texas and has extended to multiple states.
In contrast to elsewhere, where GOP-controlled legislatures have implemented partisan maps, California's plan required voter approval, which it obtained with nearly 65% of the vote.
Wider Consequences
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 continue to deliver its political program or face resistance, congressional probes and possible additional obstacles.
- Legal representation for the challengers is being handled by a prominent law firm
- The managing partner currently holds the position of assistant attorney general
- However, this attorney has been recused from the current litigation
