NRF Issues Statement As Court Hears Challenge Against Florida’s Gerrymandered Congressional Map

For Immediate Release
August 24, 2023
Contact
Jena Doyle
doyle@redistrictingfoundation.org

NRF Issues Statement As Court Hears Challenge Against Florida’s Gerrymandered Congressional Map

Case was recently strengthened by agreement between parties to the litigation

Washington, D.C.—Today, a Florida trial court will hear oral argument in the case Black Voters Matter Capacity Building Institute v. Byrd, a challenge against Florida’s congressional map in violation of Article III, § 20 of the Florida Constitution, commonly known as the Fair Districts Amendment. The National Redistricting Foundation (NRF), the 501(c)(3) affiliate of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee (NDRC), initiated this legal challenge in 2022 and remains involved in the case supporting the plaintiffs. 

This case against Florida’s congressional map was recently strengthened by an agreement between the parties to the litigation. As part of the agreement, Florida’s Secretary of State, the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida Senate have admitted that the state’s congressional map diminishes the voting power of Black Floridians and prevents them from electing a candidate of their choice in Florida’s Fifth Congressional District. Additionally, the agreement states that if the plaintiffs prevail, a new remedial plan will be in place in time for the 2024 primary elections.

Olivia Mendoza, Director of Litigation and Policy for the NRF, released the following statement: 

“The plaintiffs and the defendants in this case agree: Florida’s congressional map diminishes the voting power of Black Floridians and the ability of Black voters to elect a candidate of their choice in the Fifth Congressional District. It is the responsibility of the Court to protect the constitutional rights of all Floridians when they are violated in order to allow equal voting power in elections. In this case, the court can and should strike down this discriminatory map, spearheaded by Governor DeSantis, as a textbook violation of the Florida Constitution and order the restoration of the Fifth Congressional District. We look forward to presenting our argument before the court.”

###