DOJ Joins Lawsuit Against California's New District Maps

The U.S. Department of Justice filed a motion on Thursday to join a federal lawsuit in California challenging the state's newly approved congressional district maps, which voters endorsed last week through a ballot initiative known as Proposition 50. The move, in a California federal district court, escalates a legal dispute over boundaries intended to reshape the state's representation in the U.S. House of Representatives ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

The lawsuit, originally filed on November 5 by the California Republican Party and 19 registered voters, argues that the maps violate the 14th Amendment's equal protection clause and the Voting Rights Act by relying on racial demographics to favor Latino voters while reducing the influence of white residents. In its filing, the Justice Department described the maps as a racial gerrymander and requested a court order to prevent their use in the 2026 elections and beyond. "Our Constitution does not tolerate this racial gerrymander," the filing stated. "Because the Proposition 50 map does, the United States respectfully requests that this court enjoin defendants from using it in the 2026 election and future elections."