The Florida Supreme Court heard arguments Thursday on the constitutionality of a congressional redistricting plan pushed by Governor Ron DeSantis in 2022. Chief Justice Carlos Muniz suggested the decision could have significant future implications, referring to a potential “paradigm shift.”
Voting rights groups challenged the plan, arguing it violates a 2010 state constitutional amendment prohibiting the diminishment of minority voters’ ability to elect representatives.
The dispute centers on North Florida’s District 5, which had previously elected Black Democrat Al Lawson before being overhauled. Under the new map, White Republicans won all North Florida districts in 2022.
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DeSantis argued the previous district was an unconstitutional racial gerrymander under the U.S. Constitution’s Equal Protection Clause. State Solicitor General Henry Whitaker defended the new plan, calling the old district a racial gerrymander due to its lack of compactness.
The Supreme Court is expected to rule on the case in the coming months. The contested plan will be used in the November elections.
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