Florida Supreme Court Upholds DeSantis Congressional Map, Reducing Black Voter Power

The Florida Supreme Court upheld Governor Ron DeSantis’ 2022 congressional redistricting map despite challenges claiming it diminished Black voter power in North Florida, citing the U.S. Constitution’s Equal Protection Clause as overriding the state’s Fair Districts Amendment. The court found no plausible non-racial justification for the previous district’s extensive shape but sided with DeSantis’ argument that the remapping complied with federal constitutional requirements. Critics, including the Florida Democratic Party and civil rights organizations like Black Voters Matter, condemned the decision as a political power grab that weakens minority representation and violates voter protections against partisan gerrymandering. Justice Jorge Labarga dissented, highlighting the map’s negative impact on Black voters. DeSantis defended the map, emphasizing its constitutional validity and the legal rulings supporting it, which led to a net gain of four Republican seats and a loss of three Democratic seats in the state. The ruling effectively ends further challenges to the district lines for the 2026 midterms and beyond, though opponents vow to continue advocating for fairer maps.