We told you earlier this year that Florida Democrats are in disarray as they await the new map for the state’s congressional district.
The Florida legislature is responsible for the new map, however they have given up on trying to come up with a new congressional district map for the state that will please Governor DeSantis.
The governor just vetoed a map submitted by the legislature two weeks ago.
According to the Miami Herald, the legislature has now asked DeSantis to come up with a map that he supports so they can move forward.
The decision, announced jointly by Senate President Wilton Simpson and House Speaker Chris Sprowls, comes two weeks after DeSantis vetoed a congressional map approved by the Legislature and called state lawmakers back into a special session to craft a new plan that would be to his liking.
Historically, the Legislature has taken the lead in redrawing the lines of congressional districts. But DeSantis will take the lead on the congressional map-making heading into the special session that is scheduled to start next Tuesday.
In a memo to state lawmakers, Sprowls and Simpson said legislative staff are not drafting or producing a map to introduce next week. They will be waiting on the governor’s office to provide them with a map that he will support.
Of course, Democrats are livid over the move, calling it ‘undemocratic’ and ‘dangerous’.
And according to DC Examiner, they are already threatening to sue:
Democrats have signaled their intent to challenge a final map in court. “Discovery in the inevitable lawsuit will be very interesting,” teased lawyer Marc Elias.
I suspect DeSantis will be happy to take the lead on this as he has been more than clear that the new maps cannot violate the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. He’s said he’ll veto maps he doesn’t believe are constitutional and that’s exactly what he’s done.
The deadline for candidates to qualify for a congressional run is on June 17, so time is short to get this completed.