Eric Holder Statement: Florida Judge Rules DeSantis Map Likely Unconstitutional

Contact
Jenna Doyle
Doyle@redistrictingfoundation.org

Florida Judge Rules DeSantis Map Likely Unconstitutional:
Court Grants Preliminary Injunction in Congressional Map Challenge

Washington, D.C. —  Today, a judge in the Circuit Court of Leon County found that plaintiffs supported by the National Redistricting Foundation (NRF) in the case Black Voters Matter Capacity Building Institute v. Lee were likely to succeed in proving that the configuration of Congressional District 5 in the ‘DeSantis map’ diminishes the voting power of Black Floridians, in violation of the Florida Constitution. The plaintiffs had asked the court to prohibit the use of the newly-enacted version of Congressional District 5 for the 2022 primary and general elections, and asked the court to set forth a remedial process to implement a constitutional map in its place. A written order from the court is expected tomorrow. 

“Today’s swift ruling striking down the DeSantis Map clarifies beyond doubt that the Governor was not trying to follow the law by insisting the legislature pass his map configuration – he was actively trying to break it. The DeSantis Map diminishes Black voting power in Florida in clear violation of the state constitution, and it is now up to the members of the Florida Supreme Court to uphold the law as it is written,” said Eric Holder, 82nd Attorney General of the United States. “This decision is a step toward granting Black Floridians the opportunity to fairly elect representatives of their choosing to Congress. It is vital that the voices of all voters be heard and for that to be possible Florida needs a new, fair congressional map.” 

###