Federal authorities have entered the fray in a lawsuit initiated by California Republicans, seeking to block the state's recently passed congressional redistricting map.
This court case, submitted to a US district court, challenges 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 constitutes a blatant attempt to seize control that tramples on civil rights and mocks the electoral system," stated the US attorney general.
The Democratic party have expressed confidence that the redistricting plan will survive court challenges.
"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 legal challenge asserts that California's map improperly used racial considerations to heavily favor Latino communities in violation of the US Constitution.
"It is unconstitutional to use race as a proxy to further partisan goals, but that is precisely what the state legislature did with the redistricting measure," argued a senior official from the Civil Rights Division.
Political Context
The legal battle represents the major counterpunch by Democrats in the continuing political battle that started with Texas and has spread across multiple states.
Unlike other states, where Republican state legislatures have enacted gerrymanders, California's plan needed public consent, which it received with nearly 65% of the vote.
Wider Consequences
The Democratic party need to gain just a small number of GOP-controlled House seats to gain majority of the chamber in next year's midterm election.
The party that holds the majority will influence the remaining period of the sitting president's term, determining whether a GOP-controlled legislature will persist in implementing its political program or face resistance, investigations and possible additional obstacles.
- Legal counsel for the challengers is being handled by a prominent law firm
- The firm's founder currently holds the position of senior DOJ official
- Nevertheless, this individual has been removed from this particular case
