TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV/Gray Florida Capital Bureau) – The Florida Legislature will convene at noon on Monday for a special session on congressional redistricting.
Republicans are rewriting congressional maps across the country and believe they could net nine more U.S. House seats.
The unusual mid-decade redistricting started when President Donald Trump encouraged the Republican-controlled Texas to redraw their map last year.
National redistricting landscape
U.S. House districts are typically redrawn once a decade, immediately after a census.
After a cascade of redistricting efforts, Republicans believe they can win a combined nine more U.S. House seats in Texas, Missouri, North Carolina and Ohio. Democrats believe they can pick up six more seats in California and Utah. Virginia could give Democrats an extra four seats if voters approve new maps next week.
Maryland Democrats rejected an effort to redraw the state’s congressional map to boost their party’s chances in the midterm elections. The clock officially ran out on the proposal late Monday night as the state legislative session ended, a casualty of internal party disagreements.
“We have California and Virginia responding to Texas, watching all of this happen from Florida and because now what has been done in Virginia, now Florida needs to respond,” said Rep. Byron Donalds, (R) Florida, during a campaign event Monday.
Florida Politics:
Constitutional barriers
The problem with what GOP congressman Byron Donalds suggested is that it’s illegal. Florida is unique with a constitutional amendment banning political gerrymandering.
“Florida cannot be a part of this race to the bottom on gerrymandering because it is totally illegal in the state of Florida,” said Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, (D) Orlando.
“To hear a gubernatorial candidate say that lets me know we all know what we are doing here,” said Rep. Fentrice Driskell, (D) Minority Leader.
Census data and apportionment
Any new maps would rely on the same 2020 Census data that was used to draw current districts. That Census recorded Florida’s population at 21.5 million, which the Census Bureau later acknowledged was an undercount.
Attorney General James Uthmeier sent a petition on Monday asking the Bureau to correct the 2020 apportionment.
“Florida has experienced 10 years worth of population growth in like 3. If you look, our districts are not fairly apportioned,” said Gov. Ron DeSantis, (R) Florida.
Currently, 20 of Florida’s 28 congressional seats are held by Republicans.
Supreme Court case
Governor Ron DeSantis’ special session order points to a Louisiana Voting Rights Act case before the Supreme Court. House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell isn’t expecting the Court to rule on that until June.
“I think they feel so pressed to do this, they are pushing forward before we have that Supreme Court ruling because they know so many of Trump’s policies are failing,” Driskell said.
Voter opposition
Recent polling suggests voters oppose redistricting. A statewide MDW/EDGE poll shows Democrats with a slight lead in congressional races. An Emerson College Poll shows 56 percent of voters oppose redistricting right now.
The legislature isn’t required to redraw congressional boundaries when they convene in Tallahassee on Monday. They are only required to show up.
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