The court’s decision means the map will almost certainly remain in place for the 2022 midterm elections despite criticism that it overly favors Republicans.
The court’s decision means the map will almost certainly remain in place for the 2022 midterm elections despite criticism that it overly favors Republicans.
By declining to hear a challenge to Desantis’ map, Florida’s 1st District Court of Appeal will have the final say. The court previously tossed a circuit court decision to redraw the map, according to The Hill.
Several groups filed a lawsuit alleging the map violated the state’s Fair Districts amendment due to the redrawn 5th Congressional District, which is nearly 50% black residents but spread across a large, narrow strip and geographically divided at its center.
DeSantis alleged the district was a racial gerrymander in violation of the US Constitution when explaining his decision to divide it. He defends the new map as “race-neutral”.