Florida lawmakers will be heading back to the capital next month. Governor Ron DeSantis issued a proclamation today calling for a Special Session of the Legislature dedicated entirely to redrawing the state’s congressional districts.
The move comes as the state prepares to adjust its maps to reflect population changes and adhere to an anticipated ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court.
“Every Florida resident deserves to be represented fairly and constitutionally,” Governor DeSantis said in a statement regarding the proclamation. “Today, I announced that I will be convening a Special Session of the Legislature focused on redistricting to ensure that Florida’s congressional maps accurately reflect the population of our state.”
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The Special Session is scheduled to begin at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, April 20, and must conclude by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, April 24. By scheduling this period after the regular legislative session, the Governor indicated that lawmakers could first address other pressing state matters before turning their full attention to the complex task of redistricting in late April.
According to the proclamation, the session’s scope is strict. Legislators are authorized solely to consider legislation regarding the drawing of new congressional districts and to appropriate funds for any legal challenges that arise from the new maps.
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In conjunction with the Governor’s announcement, Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd issued a directive declaring 2026 a “year of apportionment” for candidate qualification purposes, signaling significant changes ahead for the state’s electoral landscape.
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