Attorneys ask Florida's congressional map be fast-tracked to Florida Supreme Court

[In It to Win It]

Attorneys ask Florida’s congressional map be fast-tracked to Florida Supreme Court


JOINT TIME-SENSITIVE SUGGESTION FOR PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATION

TALLAHASSEE — Seeking a final ruling before the legislative session starts in January, both sides in a battle over a congressional redistricting plan asked an appeals court Friday to fast-track the case to the Florida Supreme Court.

The joint request by attorneys for the state and voting-rights groups was expected: They had filed a document last month in Leon County circuit court signaling that they would seek to effectively bypass the 1st District Court of Appeal and go straight to the Supreme Court.

But the request underscored the high stakes of the case, as Leon County Circuit Judge J. Lee Marsh ruled Sept. 2 that a redistricting plan pushed through the Legislature last year by Gov. Ron DeSantis was unconstitutional.

“This appeal requires immediate resolution by the Florida Supreme Court to provide certainty to voters, potential candidates and elections officials regarding the configuration and validity of Florida’s congressional districts sufficiently in advance of the 2024 elections,” the request filed at the Tallahassee-based appeals court said. “Given the inherently time-sensitive issues presented in elections cases, redistricting and other election-related cases are routinely certified for immediate resolution by the Florida Supreme Court.”

The request is aimed at receiving a Supreme Court decision before the Jan. 9 start of the 2024 legislative session.

That would allow lawmakers to redraw the map, if needed, and provide a period for possible additional legal wrangling before an April qualifying period in next year’s congressional elections.

[getagrip_already]

1. Do we really have any doubts how a DeSantis hand picked court will rule?

Only remaining questions are if this can be appealed to scotus once they do and if there will be time for scotus to act, if they do.

It looks like the maps will stay corrupt.

[In It to Win It]

2. This won't be going to SCOTUS

The Florida Constitution has greater protections against gerrymandering than federal law, which is why this is in state court rather than federal court. Once it reaches a conclusion with the Florida Supreme Court, that will be the end.

Their complaint at the start alleged violations of the Florida Constitution so I doubt anyone will appeal to SCOTUS by the end of it.

[getagrip_already]

3. I heard reports...

That the sos wants the sc to strike down the protections in the constitution entirely, leaving a framework that potentially violates the us constitution.

That's why I asked if it could go on.

I guess we will have to wait.

[In It to Win It]

4. I posted a recent article about Ron DeSantis taking that position

and it seems like he's hoping the Florida Supreme Court will do it... which seems unlikely but I don't put anything past them.

The Florida Supreme Court doesn't have the power to strike down protections in the state constitution. However, they can give it an absurd interpretation that narrows it, which I can see happening.