Press Release
Summary Judgement Denied – Common Cause Challenge to Discriminatory Florida Congressional Map Moves Forward
Today, a federal court denied the state of Florida’s motion for partial summary judgement in a challenge to the state’s racially discriminatory congressional voting map. The ruling by the three-judge panel in Common Cause Florida v. Byrd leaves the case on track to go to trial on September 26th in Tallahassee.
The lawsuit filed by Common Cause, Fair Districts NOW, the Florida NAACP and 10 individual plaintiffs in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida is looking to replace the congressional voting map passed by Florida’s legislature in February 2022 and signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis. The suit alleges that the map, which was used in the midterm election, was intentionally drawn to dilute the voting power of Black Floridians in violation the 14th and 15th Amendments of the U.S Constitution.
Statement of Amy Keith, Program Director of Common Cause Florida
Today’s ruling ensures that Floridians will get their day in federal court this fall to challenge this racially discriminatory map. One election under this map in 2022 was one too many and we look forward to pursing this case to ensure that Florida voters have fair maps free of racial discrimination. Many Black voters were stripped of their voice in Congress because of this unfair map that was foisted on the people of Florida by the legislature at the behest of the Governor. We are hopeful that this lawsuit will lead to a new, fair map that enables Florida voters to elect congressional representatives of their choice.
To read today’s order, click here.
More information about the case is available here.