Federal court upholds California’s Proposition 50 congressional maps

A federal court panel in Los Angeles rejected Republican claims that California’s new congressional maps were unconstitutional, upholding a voter-approved plan drawn under Proposition 50 that was intended to benefit Democrats in this year’s midterm elections. Two of the three judges sided with Gov.

Gavin Newsom and fellow Democrats. District Judge Josephine Staton wrote that "The evidence presented reflects that Proposition 50 was exactly what it was billed as: a political gerrymander designed to flip five Republican-held seats to the Democrats." She said Republicans had pointed to statements showing awareness of racial composition but that was not enough to show race was the predominant factor; Judge Wesley Hsu joined her opinion.

Mr. Newsom called the decision a victory, saying, "Republicans' weak attempt to silence voters failed," and the California Republican Party said it would appeal and ask the U.S. Supreme Court to decide the matter. Corrin Rankin, chairwoman of the state party, said, "We look forward to continuing this fight in the courts." The Justice Department had joined the lawsuit, which was originally filed by the California Republican Party and others.

Judge Kenneth K. Lee dissented, saying the maps should have been blocked and that comments by a consultant indicated an interest in boosting Latino power in at least one Central Valley district.

Key Topics

Politics, California, Gavin Newsom, California Republican Party, Justice Department, Voting Rights Act