Florida Judge Rules DeSantis’ Redistricting Map Unconstitutional Over Impact on Black Voters

Florida’s redistricting plan, backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) was ruled unconstitutional by Circuit Judge J. Lee Marsh.

Marsh claimed in his decision that the redistricting plan diminished black voters’ ability to elect their chosen candidates, especially in the state’s northern region, according to a Fox News report.

The judge’s ruling requires the state to draft a new redistricting map for congressional districts although it is vey likely DeSantis will appeal Marsh’s decision.

A significant figure in this case is former U.S. Rep. Al Lawson, a Democrat from Florida. The new redistricting map fragmented Lawson’s district, which had a substantial base of black voters.

Lawson’s defeat by a margin of 20 points in the 2022 election prompted claims from the defeated politician that the redrawn district boundaries were responsible for his loss, not voter disatisfaction.

Republicans in the Florida Legislature proposed a redistricting map that might have favored Lawson’s reelection.

The DeSantis administration introduced its own version of the map, though, and declared its intention to reject any alternative, according to the Fox report.

The brewing battle over district boundaries comes as DeSantis manages the state’s disaster response to Hurricane Idalia while campaigning for the GOP’s 2024 presidential nomination.

The Republican governor cited the state’s natural disaster response as his reason for not meeting with President Joe Biden during a presidential visit scheduled to his state.

“In these rural communities, and so soon after impact, the security preparations alone that would go into setting up such a meeting would shut down ongoing recovery efforts,” DeSantis spokesman Jeremy Redfern said.

The president’s visit was primarily to assess the damage from Hurricane Idalia, the Fox report noted.

Biden reportedly called on Congress to increase disaster relief funding for the Sunshine State from the initially requested $12 billion, to $16 billion.

“There was just no indication that he was not going to be there,” remarked White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, referring to DeSantis’ absence during Biden’s visit.