Florida’s congressional redistricting plan sponsored by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis was upheld Wednesday by a panel of federal judges, rejecting claims that it discriminates against Black voters in the Sunshine State.
The unanimous ruling is a major victory for Republicans heading into the 2024 elections, as the new maps resulted in former Democratic Congressman Al Lawson losing the 5th District race to Republican John Rutherford in the 2022 midterm elections. becomes.
The 5th District flip was one of four House seats Republicans won in Florida that year on DeSantis-drawn maps.
After Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.) leaves Congress next month, Republicans will only have a 217-213 majority in the House.
The three-judge panel found no evidence that the Florida Legislature acted racially motivated when it approved DeSantis’ redistricting plan.
Mr. DeSantis had previously vetoed the congressional map drawn by state lawmakers, arguing that it was racially discriminatory and violated the U.S. Constitution’s Equal Protection Clause.
The opinion, written by Judge Adalberto, states, “No matter what may be said about Congress’ decision to abandon the fight to protect black neighborhoods in North Florida, it violates the 14th and 15th Amendments.” “It does not constitute a ratification of racial hostility.” Jordan, Casey Rogers and Allen Windsor said.
The commission’s decision did not factor in whether Mr. DeSantis considered race when presenting maps to state legislators, and the ruling stated that “public and collective decision-making, such as the one in the Florida Legislature, Agencies are responsible only for their own unconstitutional acts.” And motivation. ”
“The illegitimate motives of others do not motivate the decision-making body as a whole, whether it be the voters, the governor, or a single member of the body itself.”
“Even assuming that Governor DeSantis acted with some unlawful discriminatory motive in developing and proposing the redistricting map that was ultimately enacted into law,” the plaintiffs argue that the Florida Legislature “ “They had similar motives for adopting and passing the Act.”
The ruling could be appealed to the Supreme Court, but the justices are unlikely to rule on the issue before the November election.
A separate challenge to the map is pending in Florida’s high court.
