Florida lawmakers pass a new voting map, aiding the GOP in the midterms : NPR

Key Points:

• Florida lawmakers approved a new congressional map in a 21-17 Senate vote that could give Republicans an advantage of four additional U.S. House seats in the November midterm elections.
• The redistricting follows a U.S. Supreme Court decision weakening the Voting Rights Act, which Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said supports the state's redrawing efforts by invalidating protections against racial or language minority vote dilution.
• Democrats argue the map is a partisan gerrymander violating a 2010 Florida constitutional amendment protecting minority voting power and have pledged legal challenges against the new districts.
• The new map increases the number of GOP-leaning districts from 20 to 24 out of 28 total, potentially shifting the balance of power in Florida and nationally, though the ultimate House control depends on November voter turnout and election results.
• This mid-decade redistricting, driven by Trump’s push for GOP gains ahead of the midterms, contrasts with the usual post-census process and has sparked similar partisan map changes in other states, intensifying competition for congressional seats.