The Florida Supreme Court ruled in favor of Fair Districts Now coalition plaintiffs Common Cause and the League of Women Voters of Florida yesterday when it issued a final ruling selecting the coalition’s map to replace Florida’s gerrymandered congressional districts. The new map will go into effect starting with next year’s congressional elections. Read the opinion here. Common Cause Florida Chair Peter Butzin issued the statement below on this sweeping victory.

“This is a victory for every Floridian. Common Cause and our coalition partners pursued this case to uphold the standards for redistricting that were written into the state constitution by Florida voters in 2010. The court has set a powerful precedent which is sure to forever change the practice of drawing Congressional district lines that favor incumbents and whichever political party happens to be in the majority. 

“In her powerful opinion, writing for the majority, Justice Barbara Pariente has affirmed the right of our citizens to have a fair opportunity to select their representatives.”