Groups Sue Florida over DeSantis-Backed Congressional Map Alleging Partisan Gerrymander

A coalition of groups represented by the Southern Poverty Law Center is suing Florida over its new congressional map. The groups argue the map favors Republicans over Democrats.

The 41-page lawsuit comes from Common Cause, the League of Women Voters of Florida, and the League of United Latin American Citizens. They claim the map violates the Fair Districts Amendment, which bars the Republican-controlled legislature from drawing districts that benefit one party.

"The fact that this is a partisan gerrymander is as obvious as it is unconstitutional," said Bradley Heard, deputy legal director for the SPLC. "And while this unnecessary map is egregious in how it advantages Republicans and disadvantages Democrats, the people who will suffer the most if it is allowed to stand are once again Black and Brown communities, whose voices are consistently silenced in these redistricting battles. The SPLC will not allow this governor to turn back the clock on voting rights in Florida."

This is the second lawsuit against the map in two days. The first came hours after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed it into law. Plaintiffs there include the Equal Ground Education Fund and 18 Florida voters.

Voters approved the Fair Districts Amendment in 2010 to stop partisan gerrymandering, favoritism toward parties, or dilution of minority voting power.

"The governor’s ploy to impose maps for an unfair partisan advantage is exactly why voters made it illegal in 2010—and why we’re going to court," said Amy Keith, executive director for Common Cause Florida. "This governor and Republican lawmakers will stop at nothing to put their finger on the scale because they are afraid of being held accountable by the people. We expect the courts to be the adults in the room and honor the Florida Constitution and the will of Florida voters."

The plaintiffs want a judge to rule the map unconstitutional, block its use, reinstate the 2022 map, or order a new compliant plan.

"When a map is distributed in a red/blue format to the media before being transmitted to the legislature, and when the governor’s staff openly acknowledges in committee that there is no new Census data being used to justify a new map, Florida voters can’t help but suspect that this is a partisan gerrymander," said Jessica Lowe-Minor, president of the League of Women Voters of Florida.

The SPLC faces federal charges for allegedly transferring $3 million to people linked to extremist groups like the Ku Klux Klan, National Socialist Movement, and American Nazi Party from 2014 to 2023. Prosecutors say the payments aimed to infiltrate and monitor those groups.

Florida Republicans hold a 20-8 edge in House seats now. The new map could push that to 24-4, threatening Democratic incumbents such as Reps. Darren Soto, Kathy Castor, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, and Jared Moskowitz.

Nikki Fried, chairwoman of the Florida Democratic Party, said the map disenfranchises millions of Black, brown, and Jewish voters.