Florida’s long-running redistricting battle entered a new phase this week as state lawmakers moved at sharply different speeds to respond to a federal court ruling that struck down the state’s congressional map. The Florida House, controlled by Republicans, announced plans to finalize a new map before the conclusion of the current special session in December, a decision that places the chamber at odds with Governor Ron DeSantis and sets up another round of political tension in the Capitol.
The push comes after a three-judge federal panel invalidated the state’s 2022 congressional map, ruling that the design unlawfully diminished the voting power of Black residents in North Florida. The court ordered Florida to adopt a new map, giving lawmakers only a small window to act unless the U.S. Supreme Court intervenes. Governor DeSantis is appealing the ruling and has urged legislators to wait until January, arguing the state should not rush a process that may ultimately be influenced by the high court.
Despite that request, House leaders said they are moving forward to prevent the judiciary from imposing a map on the state. Several draft proposals have already been released, each expected to maintain a Republican-leaning tilt. Advocacy groups and Democratic lawmakers swiftly criticized the early versions, arguing they continue to dilute minority voting strength and fail to restore the sprawling minority-access district that previously stretched from Jacksonville to Tallahassee.
The Florida Senate, however, has yet to commit to the House’s accelerated timeline. Senate President Ben Albritton said his chamber is still reviewing the legal ramifications of the court ruling and weighing whether a fast-tracked approach is necessary. The difference in strategy signals a potential intraparty divide as state leaders navigate one of the most consequential redistricting challenges in the country.
Adding to the complexity are Florida’s Fair Districts amendments – voter-approved rules requiring that political maps neither favor a political party nor diminish minority representation. Those provisions have already shaped multiple rounds of redistricting litigation in recent years, and legal experts say fresh lawsuits are almost guaranteed regardless of which map is eventually approved.
The stakes for the 2026 congressional elections are high. Florida now holds 28 U.S. House seats, and even modest boundary changes could influence the balance of power in Washington. The current, court-invalidated map gave Republicans a significant edge, holding 20 seats, and any shift in the new design could reverberate far beyond state lines.
As the deadline looms, Florida’s political landscape remains unsettled. With competing legal strategies, internal divisions, and mounting national attention, the final outcome of the redistricting process is poised to shape not only Florida’s representation but also the broader fight for control of Congress.
