TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A group of Florida voters has filed a lawsuit against Gov. Ron DeSantis and other state officials, challenging the governor’s authority to direct the Legislature to pursue a mid-decade redistricting plan ahead of the 2026 elections.
The complaint, filed Thursday with the Florida Supreme Court, argues that DeSantis exceeded his constitutional powers by issuing a proclamation calling a special legislative session to redraw congressional and legislative district maps. (RELATED: Utah Republicans Sue To Block New House Districts)
The Hill reports:
DeSantis last month issued a proclamation calling a spring special legislative session focused on congressional redistricting, pushing Florida further into the nationwide battle over district lines ahead of November’s high-stakes midterms.
The Florida voters, Elizabeth Pines and Eugene Pettis, contend that DeSantis and Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd (R), who issued a related directive, unconstitutionally attempted to use “unilateral authority to bind the Legislature into passing legislation.”
They’re asking the court to clarify that the proclamations and directives issued by the governor and secretary of state are “not binding and unenforceable.”
Republicans want to redraw Florida’s congressional map to net several more House seats as the party fights to hold onto its control of Congress this fall.
The plaintiffs, represented by the Elias Law Group, contend that Florida’s Constitution does not permit the governor to unilaterally bind the Legislature to take up redistricting, and they asked the court to declare the proclamation nonbinding and unenforceable unless and until the Legislature actually passes a formal redistricting law. (RELATED: Supreme Court Allows New California Congressional Districts That Favor Democrats)
The Florida Supreme Court has not yet scheduled a hearing on the petition. If the court agrees to take up the case, it could shape how and when new congressional boundaries are drawn in the state.
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
READ NEXT: John Thune’s Senate Belief Continues To Derail Crucial Laws
Who drew up the current district boundaries, that are proposed to be changed? If the new district boundaries are to be voted on, what’s the problem?