Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) announced on Monday that Florida will be the latest state to undergo redistricting efforts.
DeSantis revealed his intention to call a special legislative session on redistricting in his state in the spring, between March and May, reported The Floridian. DeSantis said he was awaiting a decision from the Supreme Court before proceeding.
“Yeah, yeah, so we’re going to redistrict,” said DeSantis. “The issue is that there is a Supreme Court decision that we are waiting on — the argument in October about Section 2 of the VRA [Voting Rights Act] that impacts Florida’s maps, so we’re going to do it next Spring.”
He added that he intended to communicate with state Sen. Ben Albritton on how to proceed with Florida’s redistricting efforts. Albritton is the president of Florida’s Senate for the 2024-2026 term.
“I am going to talk to Sen. Albritton about when it makes sense to do it, but that will be done,” Florida’s governor said. “I think we are going to be required to do it because of this court decision.”
Florida House Speaker Danny Perez announced in September the creation of the Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting to assist in redrawing Florida’s congressional districts, according to The Floridian. Miami Rep. Mike Redondo (R) was named chairman of the committee and will be joined by 10 other representatives, including seven Republicans and three Democrats. The committee’s first meeting is scheduled for Dec. 4.
WHERE REDISTRICTING STANDS A YEAR OUT FROM THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS
Redistricting efforts in states throughout the country began earlier this year when Texas announced it was redrawing congressional districts in a way projected to give Republicans an advantage and an additional five seats in the House of Representatives. In response, California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) lobbied Democrats in the California State Legislature to conduct their own redistricting, leading to the Election Rigging Response Act, more commonly known as Proposition 50, being placed on the ballot in a special election in November. Voters in the state approved the policy proposal, allowing Democrats to gerrymander congressional districts.
Other redistricting efforts in Indiana, Missouri, North Carolina, and Utah have followed suit.