TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The group of nonpartisan voting rights groups involved in the Common Cause Florida v. Byrd case will not appeal the March 27 redistricting decision from the federal court for the Northern District of Florida. That decision ruled that Gov. Ron DeSantis’ congressional map, which intentionally silences Black voters, can remain in place for the 2024 election. The groups’ request for the Northern District to reconsider the ruling was denied on June 11, 2024. This case stems from the 2022 congressional map DeSantis forced through the legislature in a discriminatory process that robbed Black Floridians of fair representation in Washington. 

Despite this decision, the voting rights groups hope fairness for Black voters will be achieved in other redistricting cases in Florida that are still pending. Opting not to appeal in the current judicial landscape, the groups will instead channel resources into ongoing advocacy for better voting and election laws and efforts to support voters and stop attempts at voter suppression during the 2024 elections.

“The impermissible racial motives outlined in this case are unacceptable, but the court chose not to act,” said Amy Keith, Common Cause Florida executive director. “Although we are disappointed, this decision doesn’t change our fight for the next four months. Our focus is on making sure that Florida voters can vote despite the hurdles the legislature – and now the court – have thrown up in front of them. We know Floridians are angry about this decision, and we hope they will join us in channeling that powerful energy into making sure that every Black Florida voter who wants to be heard is heard at the ballot box in 2024.”

Despite Judge Jordan’s opinion that the Governor intentionally discriminated on the basis of race, the March 27 ruling upheld the destruction of former CD-5 across north Florida, even while clearly recounting the long history of racial discrimination in voting in Florida.

The Court concluded its factual findings by acknowledging that the Legislature eventually “ran out of steam” and yielded to Governor DeSantis when it enacted a plan that eliminated the ability of Black voters in North Florida to elect a candidate of their choice. However, according to the Court, a biased Governor and compliant Legislature were not enough to show intentional discrimination.

“Make no mistake about it – we think the Court was wrong on the law and imposed an improper burden on us to prove,” said Ellen Freidin, CEO of FairDistricts NOW.

“With this ruling, the court failed Black Floridians. Failed to protect us from intentional discrimination seeking to limit our collective voice on the basis of race. But setbacks and injustices like this are not new. We will keep fighting for Black communities in Florida to be heard. And we will triumph in the end because when the people fight together, the people win,” said Adora Obi Nweze, president of the NAACP Florida State Conference.

To view a copy of the court’s decision, click here.

To view a copy of the court’s decision on the motion to reconsider, click here.

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Common Cause Florida is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to upholding the core values of American democracy. We work to create open, accountable government that is of, by, and for the people. We strive to ensure that every vote counts, that every eligible voter can have a say, and that our elections represent the will of the people.