The Story:
The Governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis (R), has proposed a redistricting plan for the state. As a consequence of the 2020 Census, Florida is entitled to one more member of the House after the new district lines are drawn. This will increase the number to 28.
The Proposed Map:
DeSantis’ proposed map would essentially eliminate the 5th and the 10th district as they presently exist. Both are heavily Black populations and safe seats for candidates who are both Democratic and Black. At present the 5th District is represented by Al Lawson (D) and the 10th district by Val Demings (D).
The 5th district runs along much of the northern border of the state, from Jacksonville to Tallahassee.
The 10th district is in the center of the state and includes the western half of Orlando.
Although the U.S. Supreme Court has largely abandoned the issue of federal judicial review of partisan gerrymandering, it does retain an interest in racial gerrymandering, and the DeSantis map may come under attack on the latter characterization.
The Thing to Know:
Marc Elias, an attorney and election-law expert who is widely regarded as the Democratic Party’s authority in this field, has tweeted that he is looking forward to the legal challenge he will file if the legislature passes the Governor’s plan.
