LOS ANGELES — The Department of Justice filed a federal complaint Thursday joining the California Republican Party’s lawsuit seeking to block the state’s newly approved congressional map, arguing the plan violates constitutional protections by using race as a factor to advantage one political party.
The lawsuit claims the redistricting plan, approved under Proposition 50, violates constitutional protections by giving undue weight to race in drawing new districts.
Backed by Gov. Gavin Newsom and state Democrats, the newly approved congressional map could give Democrats as many as five additional seats in next year’s midterms — districts currently held by Republicans.
At the heart of the complaint is the accusation that California lawmakers relied too heavily on race — specifically Hispanic demographics — when designing the map. The department argues that such race-based redistricting, without a compelling justification, violates the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment and the voting protections of the 15th Amendment.
California Republicans pointed to public comments made by legislators and consultants who said their goal was to empower Latino voters. According to critics, those statements amount to an admission that race was the defining factor in drawing the new district lines.
Calling the new map a “brazen power grab,” Attorney General Pam Bondi argued it not only favors Democrats but “tramples on civil rights and mocks the democratic process.”
With Republicans holding a narrow edge in the House of Representatives, flipping just a few seats in California could change the balance of power.
Supporters of the map frame the redrawing as a necessary response to Republican-led gerrymandering in states like Texas. Critics view it as California joining a redistricting arms race, utilizing the new legislative authority granted by voters under Proposition 50 to engineer a nakedly partisan advantage.
If the court blocks the map, California may be forced to revert to its previous lines or implement a court-approved alternative — a move that could delay candidate filings and shake up the 2026 election calendar.
The case is now in the hands of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, where a judge will determine whether the new map can stand. An injunction or adverse ruling could create immediate ripple effects across candidate campaigns.
Observers are watching closely to see if the case is expedited — and whether it makes its way to the U.S. Supreme Court, given the high stakes for congressional control.
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