The United States Department of Justice has initiated a lawsuit against California Governor Gavin Newsom concerning the recently approved Proposition 50. This measure, which was passed by voters in the recent election, aims to redraw congressional district lines, potentially adding five Democratic seats in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections. The Justice Department argues that this redistricting plan is racially gerrymandered and violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
According to the Justice Department, the districts were drawn with an emphasis on racial considerations, intending to cater to Hispanic voters. Pam Bondi, the Attorney General, criticized the measure, stating, “California’s redistricting scheme is a brazen power grab that tramples on civil rights and mocks the democratic process.” She further asserted that Newsom’s actions aim to entrench one-party rule and silence millions of Californians.
Bill Essayli, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Central District of California, echoed concerns about the legality of the new maps. “The race-based gerrymandered maps passed by the California legislature are unlawful and unconstitutional,” he stated. He emphasized that while California has the authority to draw congressional maps, it cannot do so based on racial criteria.
In the lawsuit, the Justice Department contends that the state’s actions breach both the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments of the Constitution. The complaint highlights that the new district lines were specifically designed to favor one race or ethnicity, which is not permissible under U.S. law. “Race cannot be used as a proxy to advance political interests,” the lawsuit asserts, underscoring the argument that Proposition 50 was implemented to benefit Democrats politically.
The Department of Justice plans to join a separate lawsuit filed by California Republicans, which alleges that the California Legislature violated constitutional provisions by redistricting based on race without sufficient justification. The lawsuit points out that when a state engages in racial gerrymandering, it also contravenes the Fifteenth Amendment. This amendment protects citizens from having their right to vote denied based on race or color.
The case centers around the assertion that redistricting based on race is only permissible when it can be demonstrated that members of a specific race cannot elect representatives of their own race, a condition the lawsuit claims does not apply in this situation.
As this legal battle unfolds, the implications for California’s electoral landscape and the broader political ramifications will be closely watched, particularly in the lead-up to the 2026 elections. The Department of Justice’s swift action reflects its commitment to ensuring compliance with constitutional standards in the electoral process.
