A redistricting plan fronted by Florida’s Republican Governor, Ron DeSantis, has been ruled unconstitutional by a state judge, who stated it undermines black voters’ representation.

Ruling details: Circuit Judge J. Lee Marsh stated that the redistricting plan infringes the state constitution as it reduces the possibility for black voters in North Florida to elect their preferred representative.
* As a result of the ruling, the plan has been sent back to the Florida Legislature. They are tasked with drawing a new congressional map in line with the Florida Constitution.
* The decision follows a series of similar rulings, overturning new congressional maps in several Southern states amid concerns that they minimize black voting power.

Context: The redrawing of political boundaries occurs every ten years following each decade’s census.
* Judge Marsh’s decision continues a trend where the constitutionality of newly drawn maps has been challenged, with a previous case involving a Republican-drawn map in Alabama.

Controversies: DeSantis, who is also a 2024 GOP presidential nomination contender, received criticism for essentially moving Democratic U.S. Rep. Al Lawson’s constituency.
* An aspect of the criticism was that a considerable number of black voters were split into conservative districts represented by white Republicans.

Next steps: The case surrounding the DeSantis redistricting plan is expected to be presented before the Florida Supreme Court.
* Currently, an area stretching about 360 miles from the Alabama border to the Atlantic Ocean and south from the Georgia border to Orlando in central Florida is only represented by white members of Congress – under the new map.

View original article on NPR

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