Equal Ground Education Fund, Inc v. Byrd

Plaintiffs supported by the National Redistricting Foundation (NRF) initiated a legal challenge against Florida’s newly enacted congressional gerrymander. The lawsuit, Equal Ground Education Fund, Inc. v. Byrd, includes the organizational plaintiff, Equal Ground Education Fund, Inc., and individual Florida voters, and challenges Governor Ron DeSantis’ 2026 mid-decade map as a violation of the Florida Constitution’s Fair Districts Amendments. Plaintiffs allege the plan was intentionally drawn to favor Republicans and disfavor Democrats, target Democratic incumbents, and to defy the constitutional requirements of compactness and respect for existing political and geographic boundaries. The complaint details how the map fractures and packs diverse communities across key regions of the state to eliminate competitive and Democratic districts. Plaintiffs seek declaratory and injunctive relief, asking the court to invalidate the 2026 plan, enjoin its use, and either reinstate the 2022 map or require the adoption of a constitutionally compliant replacement. At its core, the case challenges the efforts by the Florida Legislature and Governor DeSantis to impose a mid-decade gerrymander in defiance of clear, voter-enacted constitutional limits.

Case Documents

• Complaint (May 4, 2026)