Judge strikes down part of Florida congressional redistricting map

[Tony_FLADEM]

This is a breaking story and will be updated throughout the day.

A 2nd Judicial Circuit Court judge struck down Jacksonville’s congressional districts in a ruling against Florida’s redistricting process.

Circuit Judge Layne Smith said, “I am finding the enacted map is unconstitutional because it diminishes African Americans’ ability to elect candidates of their choice.”

The ruling came after a Wednesday hearing that saw plaintiffs argue that Gov. Ron DeSantis’ congressional map, which eliminated a Black ability-to-elect district that stretched from Jacksonville to Gadsden County, violated the state constitution.

The ruling may get appealed.

https://jaxtrib.org/2022/05/11/judge-strikes-down-part-of-florida-congressional-redistricting-map/

[Budi]

1. A very good start nonetheless.

..Considering the odds stacked against law & justice for all.

[jimfields33]

2. Has to be a better way then a 200 mile district.

Definitely splitting Jacksonville and Tallahassee is a good move. Now to get them so they both stay democratic.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

3. From Marc Elias

Yeah for Marc Elias

Link to tweet

https://www.democracydocket.com/cases/florida-congressional-redistricting-challenge/

Lawsuit filed on behalf of Black Voters Matter, Equal Ground Education Fund, League of Women Voters of Florida, Florida Rising Together and individual voters challenging Florida’s new congressional map for violating the Florida Constitution. The map, drawn by Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), was adopted by the Florida Legislature during a special session after DeSantis vetoed previous districts passed by the Legislature. The plaintiffs allege that DeSantis’ map violates multiple provisions of the Fair Districts Amendment of the Florida Constitution by diminishing the ability of Black Floridians to elect their candidates of choice, particularly in northern Florida, and intentionally favoring the Republican Party at the expense of the Democratic Party. The lawsuit asks the court to block DeSantis’ map and order the creation of a new map that complies with the Fair Districts Amendment. A preliminary injunction hearing is scheduled for May 11 and can be viewed here.