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A new U.S. House map approved in Florida this spring went before a state judge on Friday as voters’ attorneys asked the court to prevent the districts from being used in the midterm elections, arguing the map violates Florida’s ban on partisan gerrymandering. The hearing put the dispute squarely in the courts’ crosshairs, with the judge offering no timeline for a decision.
The challenge targets new congressional districts that voters’ attorneys said were drawn with an intent to favor Republicans and disfavor Democrats. Attorneys representing Common Cause and other groups argued that voters in districts represented by Republicans were largely kept in the same districts compared with the way Democrats’ districts were reorganized.
Attorney Chris Shenton, who represented Common Cause and other groups challenging the map, told the court that the figures show Democratic districts were being targeted for reconfiguration. Shenton said: “It shows that Democratic districts are being targeted for reconfiguration. And why? To favor Republicans and disfavor Democrats. That is unconstitutional,” according to the reporting of the hearing.
Florida’s new map was approved April 29 by the Florida Legislature, and it became part of a national redistricting fight that has accelerated since former President Donald Trump urged Texas Republicans last year to redraw congressional districts mid-decade. Republicans have said the effort could give them multiple additional House seats, while Democrats argue it could limit minority voters’ ability to elect representatives of their choice.
The Florida case also comes amid other courtroom developments tied to redistricting and voting rights. Last year’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling in a case about partisan gerrymandering said it lacks authority to decide how far partisan gerrymandering goes, while adding that states can still decide such claims under their own constitutions and laws. Florida voters approved the 2010 Fair Districts Amendment, which prohibits U.S. House districts from being drawn with intent to favor or disfavor a political party or incumbent and requires districts to be compact and, where feasible, to use existing political and geographic boundaries.
Friday’s hearing contrasted the voters’ claims with arguments advanced for state lawmakers and executive officials that the plaintiffs had not yet shown partisan intent to a degree that warrants immediate relief. Attorneys representing Florida argued that a temporary injunction was not appropriate before a fully developed trial, according to the reporting.
Mohammad Jazil, representing Florida’s executive officials, emphasized that the map-related constitutional provisions are connected. Jazil said: “It is intertwined, it is interlocked, it is interwoven,” as he made arguments in court that a provision tied to racial redistricting cannot stand if another element is invalid.
The state’s filings also included arguments attributed to DeSantis’ office that the map was not prepared using racial data. In a memo to lawmakers, DeSantis’ General Counsel David Axelman asserted that Florida’s constitutional provision about racial redistricting violates the U.S. Constitution, and argued that if one element is invalid, then the entire 2010 amendment is void, according to the reporting.
Republicans already hold 20 of Florida’s 28 U.S. House seats, and the new map signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis after a two-day special legislative session could, supporters say, improve the GOP’s chances of winning additional seats in the November elections. The case takes on added political urgency as Democrats also face shifting electoral terrain in other states, including Tennessee, where Democratic U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen announced this week that he is ending his reelection bid.
Friday’s proceedings also echoed a wider sweep of state activity. In South Carolina, lawmakers began debate on a bill aimed at reshaping U.S. House districts that supporters say would help Republicans win a seat and sweep the state’s seven congressional districts, with debate expected to continue into next week.