Florida’s congressional map deemed ‘unconstitutional’ by judge.
A Florida Judge Strikes Down Unconstitutional Congressional District Lines
A Florida judge has made a groundbreaking ruling, striking down congressional district lines approved by Governor Ron DeSantis. The judge declared the map “unconstitutional” as it diluted minority voting power in the region.
“This Court will declare the enacted map unconstitutional and enjoin the Secretary of State from using that map in future congressional elections,”
said Circuit Judge J. Lee Marsh in the Saturday ruling.
The ruling states that the map will be returned to the legislature for a redrawing, as it has been shown to diminish black voters’ ability to elect their preferred candidate, which is a violation of the Florida Constitution.
Fair Districts Amendment
The violated section, known as the Fair Districts Amendment, prohibits lawmakers from redrawing district maps in a way that diminishes minority voters’ ability to elect. In this case, the redrawing of the district lines has affected a seat formerly held by Rep. Al Lawson, a black Democrat.
Plaintiffs and Impact
The plaintiffs in the case include Black Voters Matter, Equal Ground, Florida Rising, and the League of Women Voters of Florida. They filed the case in April 2022, after Governor DeSantis signed the new congressional maps into law.
According to the new map, the voting age black population in the affected districts now accounts for significantly lower percentages compared to when Rep. Lawson held the district. This change has raised concerns about the diminished representation of black voters.
Legal Battle and Future Appeal
Governor DeSantis had previously rejected two earlier maps passed by state lawmakers, and lawyers for both the Florida House and Senate acknowledged that the latest map did not meet constitutional requirements. However, the Florida secretary of state did not concede the “diminishment” of minority voting power. The court, however, rejected the secretary’s arguments, citing inconsistency with Florida Supreme Court precedent.
The DeSantis administration is expected to appeal the ruling to the Florida Supreme Court, continuing the legal battle over the district lines.
Southern Districts and the Impact on Congressional Elections
This ruling has significant implications for amended congressional maps in Southern states. In June, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a redistricting map in Alabama, ruling that it violated the Voting Rights Act. The court ordered the state legislature to create a new map that includes a majority-black district.
Shortly after the ruling in Alabama, the Supreme Court also removed a hold on a Louisiana political remap case. This indicates that the GOP-dominated state will have to redraw district lines to accommodate a majority-black congressional district.
The outcomes of these redistricting efforts will play a crucial role in next year’s congressional elections, as they will determine which party controls the U.S. House of Representatives. Currently, Republicans hold 222 seats, while Democrats have 213.
The fight for fair representation for black Floridians continues, with the hope that a new map will be created to restore the Fifth Congressional District and provide black voters with the opportunity to elect a candidate of their choice.
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