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NewsFlorida PoliticsMay 5, 2026Florida

Voting Rights Groups Sue Over Florida's New Congressional Map

Three voting rights organizations have filed a lawsuit in Leon County challenging Florida's newly enacted congressional map, alleging it violates the state constitution's 'Fair Districts' amendment. The plaintiffs argue the map was drawn with partisan intent and diminishes the voting power of minority communities, while the Governor's office maintains the map is race-neutral.

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Why It Matters

The lawsuit seeks to overturn a new congressional map that reduces the number of Democrat-leaning U.S. House districts in Florida from eight to four, directly impacting the political representation of residents across the state.

Key Facts

  • A third lawsuit has been filed in Leon County circuit court challenging Florida's new congressional map.
  • The map reduces the number of Democrat-leaning U.S. House districts in Florida from eight to four.
  • The map eliminates a majority-Hispanic district in Central Florida.
  • Plaintiffs allege the map violates the Florida Constitution's 'Fair Districts' amendment, which prohibits partisan intent and the diminishment of minority voting power.
  • The map was signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis following approval by the Florida Legislature in a Special Session.
  • The Governor's office states the map was drawn to be 'race neutral'.
  • Plaintiffs claim the map was released to Fox News before being submitted to the Legislature for review.
  • The Governor's staff acknowledged in committee that no new Census data was used to justify the new map.
  • Two other lawsuits challenging the map have been filed by the Equal Ground Education Fund, the Campaign Legal Center, and the UCLA Voting Rights Project.

Who's Mentioned

locationLeon County“Location where the lawsuit was filed.”organizationCommon Cause“Plaintiff in the lawsuit.”organizationDemocracy Defenders Fund“Legal representation for plaintiffs.”organizationSouthern Coalition for Social Justice“Legal representation for plaintiffs.”organizationSouthern Poverty Law Center“Legal representation for plaintiffs.”personJessica Lowe-Minor“President of the League of Women Voters of Florida.”personRon DeSantis“Governor of Florida who signed the legislation.”personAmy Keith“Florida Executive Director of Common Cause.”organizationLeague of United Latin American Citizens“Plaintiff in the lawsuit.”organizationLeague of Women Voters of Florida“Plaintiff in the lawsuit.”