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The US Justice Department have officially joined a lawsuit brought forward by California Republicans, seeking to prevent the California's newly approved electoral boundaries.

This legal action, filed in a US district court, targets the map supported by Governor Gavin Newsom, which was created in response to a GOP redistricting effort in Texas.

"The state's redistricting scheme represents a blatant attempt to seize control that tramples on voting rights and mocks the democratic process," declared the US attorney general.

Democrats have voiced assurance that the new maps will survive legal scrutiny.

"These opponents were defeated in the election and soon they will face defeat in the judicial system," stated a spokesperson for Governor Newsom.

Legal Basis

The legal challenge claims that California's map improperly used race as a factor to significantly advantage Hispanic voters in contravention of the federal constitution.

"Race cannot be used as a proxy to further partisan goals, but that is exactly what the state legislature did with Proposition 50," argued a senior official from the Civil Rights Division.

Political Context

The legal battle represents the most significant counterpunch by the Democratic party in the ongoing redistricting war that started with Texas and has spread across multiple states.

In contrast to elsewhere, where Republican state legislatures have enacted gerrymanders, California's plan required voter approval, which it received with approximately two-thirds of the vote.

National Implications

Democrats need to gain just a small number of Republican-held House seats to take control of the chamber in next year's congressional elections.

The political group controlling the controlling share will shape the final years of the current administration, deciding if a GOP-controlled legislature will persist in implementing its agenda or face resistance, investigations and potential further challenges.

• Legal representation for the challengers is being provided by a well-known legal group
• The firm's founder currently holds the position of senior DOJ official
• However, this attorney has been recused from this particular case