DeSantis Calls April Special Session to Redraw Florida Congressional Map as Supreme Court Voting-Rights Case Looms
Gov. DeSantis called an April special session to redraw Florida’s congressional map as the state awaits a Supreme Court ruling on Voting Rights Section 2.
Overview
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced an April special legislative session to redraw Florida’s 28 congressional districts, after delaying the 2026 session while awaiting a Supreme Court voting-rights ruling.
Florida Republicans, holding 28 seats, seek to gain three to five additional House seats through mid-decade redistricting critics say is engineered to favor GOP electoral prospects.
The pending Louisiana v. Callais case could determine the constitutionality of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, directly affecting how Florida may lawfully draw district lines.
Voters approved a 2010 Fair Districts amendment banning partisan gerrymandering; the Florida Supreme Court upheld DeSantis’s map despite critics’ claims it violates that constitutional prohibition.
House Speaker Daniel Perez created a select committee to review the map; any Republican-favoring redraw could reshape Florida’s influence in the 2026 midterms and the U.S. House majority.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources present a neutral account, reporting DeSantis’ announcement and rationale while supplying legal and political context — quotes from DeSantis, the Voting Rights Act/Florida 'Fair Districts' amendment, seat counts (20 of 28), rival GOP timelines, and examples of other states’ mid‑decade maps — without loaded verdicts.
Sources (11)
FAQ
The Louisiana v. Callais case concerns the constitutionality of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which could impact how states like Florida draw congressional district lines, particularly affecting districts with majority Black and Hispanic voters.
Gov. DeSantis announced a special session for April 20-24 to address congressional redistricting.
Florida’s congressional delegation currently consists of 20 Republicans and 8 Democrats.
Republicans aim to redraw maps to gain 3-5 additional House seats ahead of the 2026 midterms, potentially influencing U.S. House control, following calls from President Trump and actions in other states.
Voters approved the 2010 Fair Districts amendment banning partisan gerrymandering, which the Florida Supreme Court upheld for DeSantis’s current map despite violation claims.
History
7 sources