A group of California voters, backed by the state's Republican Party, has initiated a federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the newly passed Proposition 50, which redraws congressional districts in the state. Filed on Wednesday, the lawsuit claims that the proposition's redistricting approach unlawfully targets racial demographics, thus violating the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution.

At the heart of the controversy are 16 congressional districts explicitly identified by legislators as "Voting Rights Act districts" intended to enable Latino voters to elect their preferred candidates. Plaintiffs argue that these districts are products of racial gerrymandering, a practice that the Supreme Court has subjected to stringent scrutiny in past rulings such as Cooper v. Harris and Miller v. Johnson. These precedents stipulate that race-based districting must be grounded in compelling evidence that such measures are essential for complying with the Voting Rights Act.

The complaint further contends that California has not provided sufficient proof that the minority population’s preferred candidates have struggled to win elections due to majoritarian opposition, as required under the landmark Thornburg v. Gingles decision. This, the plaintiffs argue, points to a breach of constitutional mandates which call for racial neutrality in governmental decision-making.

The legal action seeks not only a declaratory judgment but also an injunctive relief that would invalidate the contested maps. It requests the constitution of a three-judge court under 28 U.S.C. § 2284 to hear the case, emphasizing the significance and broad implications of the matter.

Proposition 50, which passed in California’s recent special election, has been defended by proponents, including Governor Gavin Newsom, as a necessary step to ensure compliance with the Voting Rights Act while safeguarding California's congressional representation. This defense points to similar partisan redistricting efforts in other states, such as Texas, which proponents argue pose a threat to fair representation.

This lawsuit adds to a series of recent legal battles over voting rights and racial districting across the United States, with notable cases also emerging from Louisiana and New York. As the legal proceedings unfold, the outcome could have far-reaching consequences for electoral districting practices not just in California, but across the nation.