The United States Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against California’s government over Proposition 50, a recently approved measure that redistricts congressional lines within the state. This initiative, endorsed by voters in the November elections, is designed to potentially add five Democratic seats in Congress as the political landscape shifts ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
The Justice Department claims that Proposition 50 results in districts that are racially gerrymandered, thus violating the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution. According to the Department’s statement, the districts were drawn with racial considerations prioritized to appease Hispanic voters. Pam Bondi, Attorney General, criticized the move, asserting that “California’s redistricting scheme is a brazen power grab that tramples on civil rights and mocks the democratic process.” She emphasized that Governor Gavin Newsom’s actions aim to solidify one-party dominance while silencing millions of Californians.
In a similar vein, Bill Essayli, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Central District of California, condemned the redistricting maps, labeling them “unlawful and unconstitutional.” He stated that the Department of Justice is taking swift action to prevent these “illegal maps” from influencing upcoming elections. “California is free to draw congressional maps, but they may not be drawn based on race,” he explained.
The lawsuit argues that Proposition 50 represents a fundamental violation of constitutional principles, as it allegedly uses race as a means to further political interests. The Department of Justice contends that the new maps serve to promote Democratic interests, despite public claims that the changes were intended to enhance representation for Hispanic voters.
Jesus Osete, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, echoed these concerns, stating, “Californians were sold an illegal, racially gerrymandered map, but the U.S. Constitution prohibits its use in 2026 and beyond.” He stressed that race should not be used as a proxy in political maneuvering.
The Department of Justice plans to join a separate lawsuit initiated by California Republicans, who contend that the state legislature has violated both the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments by drawing new congressional lines based on race without sufficient justification. The Republicans argue that such actions deny citizens their voting rights based on race or color, which is constitutionally impermissible.
The lawsuit further indicates that California did not disguise its intentions, as the new districts appear to be deliberately designed to favor specific racial or ethnic groups. While race-based redistricting can be permissible under certain conditions, such as when it is evident that a racial group lacks the ability to elect representatives of their choice, the DOJ argues that this is not applicable in California’s case.
As this legal battle unfolds, it raises significant questions about the intersection of race, politics, and electoral fairness within the state of California. The outcomes of these lawsuits could have far-reaching implications not only for California’s political landscape but also for how congressional districts are drawn nationwide.
