florida redistricting

An appeals court upheld the map, which plaintiffs say violated part of the constitutional amendment that barred drawing districts that would “diminish” the ability of minorities to “elect representatives of their choice.”

The case, which is expected to go to the Florida Supreme Court, centers on an overhaul of North Florida’s Congressional District 5, which in the past elected Black Democrat Al Lawson. Voting-rights groups and other plaintiffs argue that the overhaul violated part of the constitutional amendment, known as the Fair Districts Amendment, that barred drawing districts that would “diminish” the ability of minorities to “elect representatives of their choice.”

Voting-rights groups have asked an appeals court to uphold a ruling that a congressional redistricting plan backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis violated the Florida Constitution.

Seeking a final ruling before the legislative session starts in January, both sides in a battle over a congressional redistricting plan asked an appeals court Friday to fast-track the case to the Florida Supreme Court.

The decision was the latest to strike down new congressional maps in Southern states over concerns that they diluted the voting power of Black residents.

Black voters in Florida could regain a congressional district where they make up a sizable share of the population, if voting rights groups prevail in an ongoing legal battle.

Key lawmakers and legislative staff members have gone to an appeals court as they fight giving depositions in a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of a congressional redistricting plan.

The redistricting plan, which Gov. Ron DeSantis pushed through the Florida Legislature during a special session last April, was used in the elections amid constitutional challenges in federal and state courts.

After pushing a congressional redistricting plan through the Legislature this spring, Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration is fighting to prevent the release of documents to plaintiffs in a lawsuit challenging the plan.

Plaintiffs in a lawsuit challenging Florida’s new congressional map have launched a statewide tour aimed at educating Black voters about changes to the state's U.S. House district lines.

The lawyers for Gov. Ron DeSantis and Secretary of State Cord Byrd filed a 29-page document Wednesday primarily contending that the constitutional challenge should be dismissed. They disputed equal-protection arguments by voting-rights groups and other plaintiffs, who say the plan intentionally discriminates against Black voters.

The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday declined to jump into a congressional redistricting fight, leaving in place a lower-court decision that would clear the way for using a controversial plan that Gov. Ron DeSantis pushed through the Legislature.