After a special August redistricting session came to an end without a resolution by the Florida legislature, a mandated redrawing of our state's congressional districts was left to the courts.
During three days of hearings concluding September 28, various redistricting plans proposed by the House, the Senate and the plaintiffs challenging the current districts were defended before Leon County Circuit Judge Terry Lewis. Judge Lewis may either choose one of the seven proposed maps or combine maps in a new proposal. His recommendation will go to the Florida Supreme Court.
In July, the Florida Supreme Court ruled that eight of Florida's 27 congressional districts violate the anti-gerrymandering "Fair Districts" standards approved by voters in 2010. Redrawing the eight disputed districts will necessitate changes to several of the other districts in the state.
A special legislative session is set to start October 19 to address a similar legal challenge on the constitutionality of Florida's Senate districts.