The US Justice Department has launched a lawsuit against the State of California over new congressional voting maps approved by voters last week through Proposition 50. The federal government argues that the maps, which give Democrats an advantage in five additional districts, violate the Equal Protection Clause by relying heavily on racial demographics.
Attorney General Pam Bondi accused California Governor Gavin Newsom of orchestrating a “brazen power grab” by pushing what she described as racially gerrymandered districts. According to the Justice Department, the new boundaries were drawn with “substantial evidence” that Latino racial data was the predominant factor a practice that is unconstitutional under federal law.
“Race cannot be used as a proxy to advance political interests, but that is precisely what the California General Assembly did with Prop 50,” said Jesus A. Osete, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. The lawsuit seeks to block the use of these maps in the 2026 midterm elections.
Governor Newsom’s office dismissed the accusations as politically motivated. A spokesperson responded sharply, saying, “These losers lost at the ballot box and soon they will also lose in court.” Newsom has argued that Proposition 50 is necessary to counter Republican-led redistricting efforts in Texas, which followed calls from former President Donald Trump to reshape electoral boundaries ahead of 2026.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta defended the new maps, noting that multiple legal challenges have already failed in state courts. He maintained that the redistricting measure reflects the will of voters who “spoke loud and clear” against what he characterised as Trump-aligned political interference.
The lawsuit comes as both major political parties accelerate nationwide redistricting strategies in preparation for the next congressional election cycle. With control of the US House of Representatives at stake, the fight over California’s map is set to become a high-profile test case for how far states can go in redrawing their electoral boundaries.
As the legal battle unfolds, Proposition 50 is poised to remain one of the most contentious political issues shaping the 2026 elections.
