ORLANDO, Fla. — A special session is coming up this week in Florida, with lawmakers set to tackle several major issues, including redrawing congressional districts. While the session itself will unfold over just a few days, the process behind it has been building for months.

What You Need To Know

Florida lawmakers will meet April 28–May 1 for a special session focused heavily on redistricting

The push follows calls for a new census that could reshape political representation

Population growth is a central argument for redrawing district maps

Democrats argue the effort is unconstitutional and could face legal challenges

The special session will run from Tuesday, April 28 through Friday, May 1, with lawmakers expected to focus on redistricting, artificial intelligence protections and health care policy. However, it is the redistricting effort drawing the most attention.

This comes after Donald Trump called for a new census last year, one that would not include undocumented immigrants or non-citizens. If implemented, such a change could shift political power in Congress, particularly in states with large non-citizen populations.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis addressed the issue, saying, “I do think it would be appropriate to do a redistricting here in the mid-decade.” DeSantis emphasized that point again later, adding, “Just look at how population has shifted in different parts of the state over a four, five-year period. It’s been really significant.”

Traditionally, congressional district maps are redrawn every 10 years following the U.S. Census. However, this mid-decade push could change that timeline, with Florida leaders considering new maps sooner than expected.

During the special session, lawmakers are expected to review a new map proposed by the governor’s office. The Florida Senate will then file the map as a bill and begin debate under strict legal guidelines.

Population growth is a key argument driving the push. In Central Florida, experts say numbers continue to rise rapidly.

“We are the 6th fastest growing large market in the country. Fastest in Florida. So, we are absolutely a growth market,” Neil Hamilton with the Orlando Economic Partnership explained. Orlando Economic Partnership is a not-for-profit, non-partisan organization focused on the region’s economic prosperity.

Despite that growth, not everyone supports redrawing maps at this time.

“This is gerrymandering at its worst and of course there is a lot of concern behind this decision,” said Anna Eskamani, Democratic State Representative for District 42. “Mid-decade redistricting is unconstitutional. It should not be pursued. This is being pushed by the governor at this time not even our Republican Senate president or speaker of the house.”

Eskamani and other Democrats argue that the move goes against the traditional redistricting process and could face legal challenges.

The debate comes as the country looks ahead to the next midterm elections, where new district maps could influence which party holds power in Congress.

At this point, the new congressional map has not yet been released. Lawmakers are expected to see it for the first time when the special session begins, and once introduced, the process could move quickly.

Florida is not alone in revisiting district maps. States including California, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, Utah and Virginia have already adopted new congressional maps ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. As of this month, Republicans hold a narrow majority in the House with 217 seats, compared to 214 held by Democrats, with three vacancies remaining.