The US Justice Department has entered the fray in a legal challenge brought forward by California Republicans, aiming to block the California's recently passed congressional redistricting map.
This court case, submitted to a US district court, targets the map supported by the state's Democratic governor, which was developed in response to a Republican-led gerrymander in Texas.
"California's electoral map constitutes a brazen power grab that violates voting rights and mocks the democratic process," declared the nation's top law enforcement official.
The Democratic party have expressed confidence that the redistricting plan will survive legal scrutiny.
"The plaintiffs were defeated in the election and they are likely to also lose in court," stated a representative for the governor.
Legal Basis
The lawsuit claims that California's map improperly used race as a factor to significantly advantage Latino communities in contravention of the federal constitution.
"Race cannot be used as a proxy to advance political interests, but that is precisely what the state legislature did with the redistricting measure," stated a senior official from the Civil Rights Division.
Political Context
The legal battle constitutes the most significant counterpunch by Democrats in the continuing political battle that started with Texas and has spread across various parts of the country.
Unlike other states, where GOP-controlled legislatures have implemented partisan maps, California's plan needed public consent, which it received with nearly 65% of the vote.
National Implications
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 congressional elections.
The party that holds the controlling share will shape the final years of the current administration, deciding if a GOP-controlled legislature will continue to deliver its political program or face resistance, congressional probes and potential additional obstacles.
- Legal representation for the plaintiffs is being handled by a prominent law firm
- The firm's founder currently holds the position of assistant attorney general
- Nevertheless, this individual has been removed from this particular case
