Al Lawson

On this week's Florida Roundup, we discuss how voting rights groups have been highly critical of Florida’s new state election investigation office, look ahead to the Artemis launch, and other topics.

Several counties in the new District 2 are in Lawson's congressional district or were in districts he's represented in the state House and Senate.

The qualifying period ends at noon Friday when candidates for governor, three state Cabinet posts, a U.S. Senate seat, 28 congressional seats and all 160 legislative seats have to make sure their paperwork is submitted.

The state's highest court denied the plaintiffs' request to lift the appeals court's stay after the majority found it lacks jurisdiction to weigh in on the matter.

Judge Layne Smith sided with voting-rights groups that requested he lift the stay.

He agreed with voting-rights groups that said the changes to a North Florida congressional district would eliminate the ability of Black voters to elect a candidate of their choice.

In a response, attorneys for Secretary of State Laurel Lee say keeping the current sprawling configuration of District 5 would violate the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution.

The plaintiffs say the new map is "intentionally destroying Black opportunity districts in Florida and splintering Black communities of interest throughout the State."

The motion says an overhaul of North Florida’s Congressional District 5 violates a 2010 constitutional amendment that sets standards for redistricting in the state.

Last week, lawmakers voted along party lines to approve maps proposed by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis' flexed his power this week in Tallahassee as lawmakers okayed the governor's controversial redistricting plan and curbed Disney's special jurisdiction.

The Senate could vote Wednesday to approve the plan, which could reduce the number of seats held by Black Democrats.