A three-judge panel of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California ruled against California Republicans on Wednesday, rejecting their claim that California\u2019s new Congressional maps were racially motivated.<\/p>\n
Almost immediately after California voters approved Proposition 50 in a special election last November, a group of the state’s Republican leaders, joined by the Department of Justice, brought forth a lawsuit against the new Congressional maps. The new maps are designed to increase Democrats\u2019 chances of getting elected in at least five districts, and give the party a better chance at taking control of Congress in the Midterm Election this year.<\/p>\n
\u201cRepublicans\u2019 weak attempt to silence voters failed. California voters overwhelmingly supported Prop 50 – to respond to Trump\u2019s rigging in Texas – and that is exactly what this court concluded,\u201d said Governor Gavin Newsom in a statement.<\/p>\n
Newsom launched Proposition 50 last August in response to Texas\u2019 own gerrymandering efforts aimed at erasing five seats held by Democrats. In November, over 64% of California voters said \u2018yes\u2019<\/a> to the measure.<\/p>\n State Republicans, set to lose seats, filed a lawsuit the morning after the election and asked a federal court to block the newly approved maps, claiming the measure violated the 14th and 15th Amendments by racially discriminating against voters in a way that favors Hispanic voters.<\/p>\n