Florida’s congressional districts are currently facing legal challenges due to allegations that they diminish the ability of minority voters, particularly Black voters, to elect representatives of their choice. The state’s Fair Districts provision prohibits the drawing of districts that would diminish minority voting power. However, the map proposed by Governor Ron DeSantis has been accused of breaking up a district that connected Black neighborhoods and towns from west of Tallahassee to Jacksonville.[0]
DeSantis defended his map by claiming that the previous district, represented by former Congressman Al Lawson, was a result of unconstitutional race-based gerrymandering.[1] However, recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions on redistricting in other states may undermine this argument. Under Florida law, race-based gerrymandering is considered a violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution.[2]
Voting rights groups have filed lawsuits claiming that the new maps, supported by Florida legislative leaders, violate the state’s Fair Districts amendment and diminish Black political power in North Florida. The lawsuits specifically focus on the removal of the 5th Congressional District, which spanned from Jacksonville to Tallahassee. The plaintiffs argue that this removal violates the amendment’s prohibition on drawing districts that diminish the ability of minorities to elect representatives of their choice.
In an agreement reached between the state and the voting rights groups, the scope of the lawsuit has been narrowed to focus solely on North Florida.[3] The state acknowledges in the agreement that if the non-diminishment standard applies to North Florida, there is no Black-performing district under the enacted map.[4] This agreement could potentially result in the redrawing of congressional districts in North Florida before the next election.[3]
The case revolves around the 5th Congressional District, which has historically been a Black majority district, connecting communities from Tallahassee to Jacksonville.[1] The map proposed by DeSantis’ office eliminated the previous configuration of the district, which included several heavily Black communities.
If the voting-rights groups succeed in the court battle, the agreement suggests that the appropriate remedy for the diminishment of Black political power in North Florida would be to recreate the district that previously elected Al Lawson. This district, known as Congressional District 5, stretched from Jacksonville to Gadsden County, west of Tallahassee.[5]
The agreement also requests that the case be expedited to the Florida Supreme Court, bypassing a ruling by the 1st District Court of Appeal.[6] A decision from the Supreme Court by the end of the year would allow lawmakers to address any necessary changes during the legislative session in January.[6]
Former Congressman Al Lawson, who lost his seat in the 2022 election due to the redistricting, has expressed interest in running for his old seat if the district is reinstated to its previous configuration.[1] He has stated that he receives numerous complaints from constituents who are unable to receive help from the current Republican members of Congress in the area.[1]
The outcome of this legal challenge could have significant implications for the representation of Black voters in North Florida. If the court reinstates a district similar to Lawson’s former constituency, it could potentially impact the re-election chances of Republican incumbent Aaron Bean, who would either have to run in a heavily Democratic district or find another seat.
The ongoing legal battle over Florida’s congressional maps not only highlights the importance of fair redistricting but also raises questions about the impact of gerrymandering on minority representation. The resolution of this case will have far-reaching consequences for the future of voting rights and political representation in the state.
0. “Aaron Bean lying in wait as redistricting development threatens congressional seat” Florida Politics, 14 Aug. 2023, https://floridapolitics.com/archives/628687-aaron-bean-lying-in-wait-as-redistricting-development-threatens-congressional-seat
1. “Former Rep. Al Lawson’s Florida congressional seat could come back under new agreement” POLITICO, 12 Aug. 2023, https://www.politico.com/news/2023/08/12/florida-house-seat-al-lawson-00110962
2. “North Florida congressional district challenge to be expedited to Supreme Court” WCJB, 15 Aug. 2023, https://www.wcjb.com/2023/08/15/north-florida-congressional-district-challenge-be-expedited-supreme-court
3. “Voting groups, state agree to focus solely on Florida District 5 in congressional map lawsuit” WCTV, 15 Aug. 2023, https://www.wctv.tv/2023/08/15/voting-groups-state-agree-focus-solely-florida-district-5-congressional-map-lawsuit
4. “New agreement in Florida’s redistricting lawsuit could spark district changes in 2024” WTSP.com, 16 Aug. 2023, https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/politics/florida-redistricting-lawsuit/67-71f63438-4679-48fe-a16d-26b08d30ad4f
5. “Donna Deegan ‘hopeful’ that Black-performing congressional district returns to North Florida” Florida Politics, 14 Aug. 2023, https://floridapolitics.com/archives/628793-donna-deegan-hopeful-that-black-performing-congressional-district-returns-to-north-florida
6. “Pact limits scope of Florida redistricting lawsuit” Orlando Sentinel, 14 Aug. 2023, https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2023/08/14/pact-limits-scope-of-florida-redistricting-lawsuit
