Republicans file lawsuit challenging California's redistricting measure

Source: The Guardian

Republicans in California on Wednesday filed a federal lawsuit challenging a high-stakes redistricting measure that could help flip up to five congressional seats for Democrats.

The suit, filed by David Tangipa, a Republican assembly member, 18 California voters and the state Republican party in the US district court for the central district of California, argues that the new maps are unconstitutional because they were drawn to increase the voting power of a particular racial group. It asks the court to block the new maps from taking effect, at least temporarily.

The measure, Proposition 50, was approved by voters on Tuesday evening, in a decisive victory for Democrats. The plan temporarily gives the power to draw congressional districts to the California legislature, allowing it to adopt maps that will help Democrats pick up five seats in the US House of Representatives.

The plan is a direct response to gerrymandering in Texas, where Republicans, at the US president’s behest, have carved out several new safe Republican districts in an effort led by Donald Trump to keep the House under Republican control during the last two years of his second term.

Mike Columbo, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, said that California Democrats drew the maps to increase the power of Latino voters.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/nov/05/california-redistricting-measure-republican-lawsuit