But, but, but … that’s my ball. You can’t play with my ball!

Republicans in California on Wednesday filed a federal lawsuit challenging a high-stakes redistricting measure that could help flip up to five congressional seats for Democrats.

The suit, filed by David Tangipa, a Republican assembly member, 18 California voters and the state Republican party in the US district court for the central district of California, argues that the new maps are unconstitutional because they were drawn to increase the voting power of a particular racial group. It asks the court to block the new maps from taking effect, at least temporarily.

The measure, Proposition 50, was approved by voters on Tuesday evening, in a decisive victory for Democrats. The plan temporarily gives the power to draw congressional districts to the California legislature, allowing it to adopt maps that will help Democrats pick up five seats in the US House of Representatives.

Obviously, if you represent the people, you can’t let them vote on anything themselves.

    • araneae@beehaw.org
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      17 hours ago

      Prop 50 passed in California in response to Texas’ redistricting. Other states would have to have a competitive congress and the states that need it most are red as hell. In the case of Texas, their redistricting effort was a national push from the party to consolidate their hold on the house, which was easiest to do in Texas because its already gerrymandered to shit and you can pass whatever you want there. However, the most conservative city in the most conservative county in the state keep going nearly purple on them. If you want Prop 50 in your state its going to take a serious groundgame and a charismatic figurehead like Newsom (hocks loogie). Its not possible without a strong local democrat party and some states are too electorally captured, it will take unseating untold numbers of Republicans in those places to even have a referendum. Whats going to kick off now are further redistricting efforts around the country from all states that are solidly one color or another.