Motion filed to block Florida's new congressional maps in upcoming elections

[brooklynite]

Source: WCJB

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCJB) - Voting rights organizations are asking a judge to stop the congressional district map signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis last week from being used while litigation continues.

The motion for a temporary injunction filed was filed on Tuesday. It argues the new map, which broke up the former district five in North Central Florida, violates the state constitution.

The plaintiffs claim the new map violates the “Fair Districts Amendment” which prohibits districts from being drawn to place political parties or minority groups at a disadvantage.

Democratic Rep. Al Lawson currently holds the seat. He says the new map will dilute the representation of African Americans in North Florida. DeSantis, who drew the new map, called the old district a “racial gerrymander” for linking minority communities in Jacksonville and the Florida Panhandle.

Read more: https://www.wcjb.com/2022/04/28/motion-filed-block-floridas-new-congressional-maps-upcoming-elections/

[csziggy]

1. Al Lawson's District 5 was altered in 2016 and cut Gwen Graham's support in District 2

The district {District 2} was significantly redrawn in a court-ordered redistricting that took effect for the 2016 election, following a lawsuit that challenged the district as gerrymandered, preventing African Americans from being able to elect representatives of their choice although they comprised a significant part of the population in the state. Under the new map, most of Tallahassee, along with nearly all of the 2nd's black residents, were drawn into the 5th District.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida%27s_2nd_congressional_district#Characteristics

This made the 5th District a ridiculously long, winding district and cut Leon County's Democratic vote up, though it has provided a strong minority district for state politics.


By Starrfruit - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=58453303