Florida Supreme Court paves way for GOP-backed congressional map
The Florida Supreme Court declined to halt florida’s newly enacted congressional map, ruling it lacked jurisdiction because the challenge was already pending in a lower court. The decision keeps the legal fight alive, but it won’t resolve in time to affect the 2026 midterm election. Republicans, including Gov. Ron DeSantis and Attorney General james Uthmeier, celebrated the ruling as ensuring the new map will stand.
The lawsuit, backed by Democratic lawyer Marc Elias, argues the map violates the state’s “Fair Districts” amendment by using partisan data to draw district lines for political gain. A dissent noted that, with deadlines approaching, the court’s action prevents timely review of statewide issues.Candidate qualifying for the new districts ends Friday at noon.
The Florida Supreme Court declined to block the newly enacted congressional map that could net Republicans up to four seats in the Sunshine State.
In a 6-1 ruling, the state’s high court ruled it lacks the jurisdiction to rule on a case currently being litigated in a lower court.
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The ruling does not end the legal battle, as it will continue to play out in the lower court, but not in time before the midterm elections.
“In the meantime, the plaintiffs will have their days in court, in due course, to be heard on the merits of their challenge to the new redistricting law,” Justice Adam Tannenbaum wrote in the decision.
But Republicans quickly took to social media for a victory lap.
“The Florida Supreme Court has REJECTED the challenge to the state’s redistricting plan and new map,” Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), who spearheaded the redraw, posted on social media. “This assures that the recently enacted map will be in place for the 2026 election.”
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier declared “COMPLETE AND TOTAL VICTORY” in a post.
Republicans currently control 20 of 28 seats in Florida, but the new map gives them upward of four new pickup opportunities.
Plaintiffs, represented by Democratic lawyer Marc Elias, argue the new map violates Florida’s “Fair Districts” amendment, a voter-approved provision that bars redistricting for partisan gain. Plaintiffs pointed to testimony by DeSantis’s cartographer, who said he used partisan data to craft the new lines.
FLORIDA JUDGE STRIKES DOWN CHALLENGE TO NEW GOP CONGRESSIONAL MAP
Candidate qualifying for the new lines ends Friday at noon.
“Unfortunately, for now, and with a filing deadline and an election fast approaching, we will not have the opportunity to review the issues of statewide importance raised in the petitioners’ efforts to enjoin Florida’s 2026 congressional map,” wrote Justice Jorge Labarga, the court’s lone left-leaning justice, in dissent.
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