Court Hearing Over Challenge to California Redistricting Begins

Republicans and the federal government argue that the new congressional map is an unconstitutional racial gerrymander.

Republican assembly member David Tangipa (C) speaks to reporters during a press conference announcing a federal lawsuit challenging Proposition 50 on Nov. 5, 2025, in Sacramento, Calif. Godofredo A. Vásquez/AP Photo

A federal district court in Los Angeles kicked off a multi-day hearing Dec. 15 over California’s new congressional map that state voters approved in a referendum last month.

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a lawsuit on Nov. 13 to block California from implementing its new congressional map, which could determine which party controls the U.S. House of Representatives in 2027. Specifically, the DOJ joined a lawsuit filed by David Tangipa, a Republican member of the California State Assembly, to stop Proposition 50 from taking effect.