LOS ANGELES, CA — California Republicans filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday seeking to block implementation of Proposition 50, the voter-approved redistricting measure that shifts map-drawing power from an independent citizens’ commission to the Democratic-controlled legislature. The lawsuit argues that the new congressional boundaries were drawn to benefit Democrats and unlawfully increase the voting power of one racial group.
The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California by Assembly Member David Tangipa, 18 voters, and the state GOP, asks the court to halt the maps from taking effect. Plaintiffs’ attorney Mike Columbo contends that Democrats used race as a primary factor to enhance Latino representation, violating constitutional limits. “Hispanics have had fantastic success electing candidates of their choice,” Columbo said, arguing that California cannot justify using race as a redistricting criterion.
Democrats defended the maps as legally sound, noting that an analysis by the Public Policy Institute of California found racial representation largely unchanged from the previous maps. The measure, which passed with 64% of the vote, could shift as many as five U.S. House seats to Democrats.
The lawsuit unfolds as the U.S. Supreme Court weighs a separate case that could restrict how states consider race in redistricting. Gov. Gavin Newsom hailed Proposition 50’s passage as a “bold countermeasure” to GOP-led gerrymanders in states like Texas.
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