🔗 Share this article US Justice Department Intervenes in Lawsuit to Block the State of California's Redistricting Plan Federal authorities has entered the fray in a lawsuit brought forward by California Republicans, aiming to prevent the California's newly approved electoral boundaries. This court case, submitted to federal court, challenges the redistricting plan championed by Governor Gavin Newsom, which was developed in reaction against a Republican-led gerrymander in Texas. "The state's redistricting scheme represents a brazen power grab that violates voting rights and undermines the electoral system," declared the US attorney general. Democrats have expressed confidence that the redistricting plan will survive court challenges. "The plaintiffs lost at the ballot box and they are likely to face defeat in the judicial system," stated a representative for the governor. Legal Basis The legal challenge asserts that California's map improperly used racial considerations to heavily favor Hispanic voters in violation of the federal constitution. "It is unconstitutional to use race as a substitute to further partisan goals, but that is exactly what the California General Assembly did with Proposition 50," stated a high-ranking representative from the DOJ's civil rights unit. Political Context The legal battle represents the major counterpunch by the Democratic party in the continuing political battle that began in Texas and has extended to multiple states. Unlike other states, where GOP-controlled legislatures have implemented partisan maps, California's plan required voter approval, which it received with nearly 65% of the vote. Wider Consequences Democrats need to flip just a handful of GOP-controlled House seats to gain majority of the chamber in next year's midterm election. The party that holds the majority will shape the final years of the sitting president's term, deciding if a unified Republican Congress will continue to deliver its agenda or encounter opposition, congressional probes and possible additional obstacles. Legal representation for the plaintiffs is being provided by a prominent law firm The managing partner currently holds the position of senior DOJ official Nevertheless, this attorney has been recused from this particular case