A Tallahassee circuit court judge has denied a request to block Florida’s new congressional map ahead of the 2026 midterms, setting up a likely legal showdown at the state Supreme Court.
The ruling sparked very different reactions across the state. The Republican Party of Florida celebrated the decision as a major victory, while a coalition of voting rights groups promised to keep fighting what they describe as a heavily partisan map.
Republican Party of Florida Chairman Evan Power praised the court’s choice, saying the approved districts are lawful and accurately match the state’s growing population.
“Gone are the days of snake-shaped districts,” Power said. “Florida’s maps are drawn fairly and reflect the makeup of our state.”
Power credited the current congressional boundaries to a major shift in the state’s voter rolls. “The truth is, Republicans hold a more than 1.5 million voter registration advantage in Florida, and our representation should reflect today’s Florida — not outdated, court-driven maps of the past,” he stated. He also thanked Governor Ron DeSantis and state lawmakers for their involvement in the redistricting process.
Meanwhile, several civil rights organizations expressed deep frustration with the judge’s decision. The lawsuit to throw out the map was filed by the League of Women Voters of Florida, Common Cause, and the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC). They are represented by legal teams from the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), the Southern Coalition for Social Justice, and the Democracy Defenders Fund.
These groups argue the new boundaries directly violate the Fair Districts Amendments, which Florida voters passed in 2010 to make partisan gerrymandering illegal under the state constitution.
“While we are disappointed by today’s decision, this case is far from over,” said Marcia Johnson, chief of activation and justice for the League of Women Voters. “Floridians voted overwhelmingly to reject partisan gerrymandering, and we will not allow politicians to undermine those protections for political gain.”
Voting advocates say they are prepared to take the battle all the way to the Florida Supreme Court to stop the districts from being used for the rest of the decade.
“Florida voters spoke clearly in 2010 when they made partisan gerrymandering illegal under the state constitution,” said Jessica Lowe-Minor, president of the League of Women Voters of Florida. She added that the ruling represents only a short part of a long journey to ensure the will of the voters is respected.
Leaders from the other groups involved in the lawsuit echoed the resolve to keep fighting. Juan Proaño, CEO of LULAC, said his group will continue to challenge attempts to deny equal opportunities at the ballot box. “Our communities deserve maps that empower diverse voices through fair representation, not silence them,” Proaño said.
Legal representatives for the coalition also weighed in on the next steps. Bradley Heard, deputy legal director for the SPLC, said leaving the map in place for now doesn’t change their stance that it is unconstitutional.
“The ruling will not shake our resolve to prove as much in court, nor will it prevent the SPLC from continuing to advocate for fair representation in government for every Floridian,” Heard said.
READ: Trump Backs Rep. Byron Donalds Again In Florida Governor’s Race: ‘A Total Winner’
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