"Republicans' weak attempt to silence voters failed. California voters overwhelmingly supported Prop 50 - to respond to Trump's rigging in Texas - and that is exactly what this court concluded,"
"likely played a predominant role in drawing at least one district because the smoking gun is in the hands of Paul Mitchell,"
"To be sure, California's main goal was to add more Democratic congressional seats. But that larger political gerrymandering plan does not allow California to smuggle in racially gerrymandered seats,"
"as part of a racial spoils system to award a key constituency that may be drifting away from the Democratic party."
Democrats celebrated the ruling, with Gov. Gavin Newsom saying Republicans' attempt to silence voters failed and pointing to overwhelming voter support for Proposition 50. Newsom pushed lawmakers to place Proposition 50 on a special statewide ballot after President Trump set off a mid-decade redistricting scramble by demanding Texas redraw its maps. Justice Lee dissented, writing that race likely played a predominant role in drawing at least one district because of Paul Mitchell's public boasting about boosting Latino voting power in the 13th Congressional District. Lee argued that political aims do not permit smuggling in racially gerrymandered seats. The ruling could be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. Congressional candidates must file by March 6 for the June primary.
Read at Kqed
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