Congressional Maps

Voting-rights groups have asked an appeals court to uphold a ruling that a congressional redistricting plan backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis violated the Florida Constitution.

A federal three-judge panel heard closing arguments on Tuesday in a federal trial over the removal of North Florida's only district where Black voters could elect their candidate of choice.

A federal trial over Florida’s congressional map could wrap up early this week after attorneys for civil rights groups and voters suing over North Florida’s districts rested their case on Monday afternoon.

Lawyers representing Black voters told a three-judge federal panel that Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis violated the U.S. Constitution by deliberately dismantling a congressional district that favored Black candidates.

The trial begins Tuesday morning. Several civil rights groups and voters are challenging the map. They argue that it intentionally discriminates against Black voters.

Black voters in Florida could regain a congressional district where they make up a sizable share of the population, if voting rights groups prevail in an ongoing legal battle.

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.

The decision comes a week after a lower court judge said the map was unconstitutional.

The Democrat joined Ben Diamond, who pulled out of the race last week and cited the state's new congressional map.

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.