redistricting

Governor says his intention is not partisan, but because he will be ‘forced to’ due to a pending U.S. Supreme Court decision.

Voter identification and congressional redistricting stand chief among concerns voiced by advocacy organizations in the state as the 2026 legislative session gets underway. Members of 11 organizations gathered to respond to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ State of the State address, delivered Tuesday.

A panel of federal judges Friday said a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of three Florida House districts and one congressional district can move forward

The survey, commissioned by Common Cause, a non-profit government watchdog group, found that 55% of Florida voters are against the move, with opposition spanning across the political spectrum.

DeSantis argues that an undercount of almost 3.5% by the U.S. Census Bureau missed around 761,000 residents. However, experts say the overcount and undercount numbers can’t change congressional seat allocation.

Texas Democrats aim to prevent the Republican-controlled government from enacting a mid-decade gerrymander that would give Republicans several more seats in Congress.

Jessica Lowe-Minor, the president of the League of Women Voters of Florida is warning state legislators not to embark on a mid-decade congressional redistricting plan, saying it's unprecedented and goes against the 2010 “Fair Districts” constitutional amendment.

The Miami Republican’s announcement came as Texas Republicans have moved forward with a controversial mid-decade redistricting plan and as the White House has pressured other GOP-controlled states, including Florida, Missouri and South Carolina, to follow suit.

The Florida governor raised the possibility of further redistricting Thursday as Texas Republicans look to redraw districts amid a push by the Trump administration to help the GOP keep its slim control of the U.S. House.

Objecting to an attempt to speed up the case, attorneys for the state argued Friday "there is no reasonable likelihood" the Florida Supreme Court will rule in a congressional redistricting battle in time for the 2024 elections.

Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker ruled in favor of the state, concluding that plaintiffs had not met a legal test for showing that the changes in Florida's elections law “unduly burden” First Amendment and equal-protection rights.

The Florida Supreme Court agreed to take up a challenge to the constitutionality of a congressional redistricting plan, but it appears the case will not be resolved before a candidate-qualifying deadline for the November elections.