Florida lawmakers approved a new congressional map Wednesday, sending Gov. Ron DeSantis a mid-decade redistricting plan that would replace the state’s current U.S. House boundaries for the 2026 elections.
The House voted 83-28 for the legislation, HB 1-D, and the Senate later approved the measure 21-17, completing legislative action during a special session on congressional redistricting. The House bill was sponsored by Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka, with a Senate companion filed by Sen. Don Gaetz. The bill now goes to DeSantis, who is expected to sign it.
The map is expected to improve Republican prospects in several districts now held or targeted by Democrats, including areas in Central Florida, the Tampa Bay region and South Florida. If the map performs as Republicans project, it could move Florida from a 20-8 Republican congressional delegation to a possible 24-4 GOP advantage.
The Legislature’s action came the same day the U.S. Supreme Court issued a redistricting decision in Louisiana v. Callais
Top Democrats and voting-rights advocates opposed the plan, arguing that it was rushed through the Legislature, drawn to favor one party and likely to face constitutional challenges.
“The map my Republican colleagues passed today is an illegal partisan gerrymander of Florida’s congressional districts,” said Senate Democratic Leader Lori Berman. “Despite today’s decision in Callais, the arguments presented by the governor’s office in defense of these maps have no basis in reality. Nothing in that decision invalidates any portion of the Florida Constitution, which I, my colleagues in the legislature, and the governor have all sworn an oath to defend.”
Sen. Berman added that “Passing this map, which was drafted in only two weeks and given to us with barely a day’s notice, was a complete abdication of our responsibility as legislators and an insult to the voters that put us here. I look forward to seeing these illegal maps challenged in court.”
The League of Women Voters of Florida said, “Despite the fig leaves that have been placed on mid-cycle redistricting, everyone can see that this is a partisan political power grab. The voters of Florida have repeatedly said they don’t like partisan gerrymandering. It’s really sad to see the voters’ will being ignored by the Governor and a majority of the state Legislature. Floridians deserve better.”
