Overview
- Federal lawyers allege the Proposition 50 map is an unconstitutional racial gerrymander, citing evidence that Latino demographics predominated in drawing districts, and they seek to bar its use in 2026 and beyond.
- The DOJ moved to intervene in the Republican-led case Tangipa et al. v. Newsom in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
- Proposition 50 passed with roughly 64–65% of the vote, shifted map-drawing from the independent commission to the legislature, and could give Democrats a path to flip up to five GOP-held seats.
- Attorney General Pam Bondi called the plan a “brazen power grab,” while Gov. Gavin Newsom’s spokesperson said opponents “lost at the ballot box” and will lose in court.
- The case is in early stages with no major hearings set; the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has joined to defend the map, and Civil Rights Division chief Harmeet Dhillon is recused.