Court fight over Ron DeSantis’ new congressional map kicks off in Florida

Key Points:

• Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis faces legal challenges over new congressional district maps that add four GOP-leaning seats, with opponents arguing the maps violate the state's Fair Districts amendments by using partisan data in their creation.
• Jason Pereda, the map-drawer for DeSantis’ administration, admitted to using political data in drawing the maps, which plaintiffs say is unconstitutional under Florida law passed in 2010 to prevent partisan gerrymandering.
• DeSantis and state officials argue the Fair Districts provisions conflict with federal law following a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling limiting the use of race in redistricting, and they oppose a temporary injunction blocking the new maps without a full trial.
• Plaintiffs contend the new maps disproportionately protect Republican-held areas with slower population growth while targeting Democratic regions, asserting the maps' intent is to favor Republicans ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
• A judge has yet to rule on a request to temporarily block the maps, with state attorneys emphasizing logistical challenges and urging the new maps be used in the upcoming elections while the legal dispute continues.