TALLAHASSEE \u2014 The new congressional district map will remain in effect for the midterm elections, after the Florida Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected a push to block the new configuration.<\/p>\n
In a 6-1 ruling, the court determined the First District Court of Appeal should consider the merits of the case before it weighs in on the matter. Equal Ground Education Fund and two other voting rights groups brought the case<\/a> alleging the new districts were drawn to favor the Republican Party, a violation of the state\u2019s anti-gerrymandering law, but the First District Court of Appeal didn\u2019t grant a temporary injunction while the underlying case is pending.<\/p>\n \u201cAt this time, we do not have jurisdiction over that matter, and we do not simply assume that the First District\u2019s decision will provide an appropriate basis for this Court\u2019s review,\u201d the court ruling states.<\/p>\n Genesis Robinson, executive director for Equal Ground, slammed the court\u2019s decision.<\/p>\n \u201cThe time to protect voters from irreparable harm is before another election takes place under this map,\u201d Robinson said in a released statement. \u201cAnd while we remain committed to ensuring that Florida\u2019s constitutional protections are fully upheld, Florida voters deserve fair maps, fair representation, and a democracy that works for everyone now.\u201d<\/p>\n Justice Jorge Labarga wrote a dissent arguing the court did have jurisdiction, and chiding the First DCA for not expediting a review by the Florida Supreme Court. The qualifying deadline for U.S. House candidates ends Friday at noon, leaving no time for the courts to rule on the merits of the case before the elections are locked in place.<\/p>\n \u201cHad the district court invoked pass-through jurisdiction here, doing so would have established an independent basis for this Court\u2019s jurisdiction in this matter,\u201d Labarga wrote. \u201cUnfortunately, for now, and with a filing deadline and an election fast approaching, we will not have the opportunity to review the issues of statewide importance raised in the petitioners\u2019 efforts to enjoin Florida\u2019s 2026 congressional map.\u201d<\/p>\n Gov. Ron DeSantis <\/a>pushed for a redrawn congressional map of Florida\u2019s 28 districts after President Donald Trump urged Republican-controlled states to pass new maps favoring the GOP ahead of the midterm elections.<\/p>\n