TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — On May 12, Leon County Circuit Judge Layne Smith issued a temporary injunction against Florida’s congressional redistricting plan, which was drawn by Governor Ron DeSantis and approved by the state legislature. This temporary injunction is a part of a larger case brought by the League of Women Voters of Florida, other organizational Plaintiffs and several individual voters. The Court ordered an expert, provided by the League and other Plaintiffs, to draw a map that abides by Florida’s congressional Fair Districts Amendment and gives Black voters in North Florida the ability to elect the representatives of their choice.

Following the temporary injunction, the state of Florida filed an appeal which automatically places a stay on the League’s favorable ruling. The League and other Plaintiffs have filed to request that the stay be lifted.

In response to the state’s decision to appeal, League of Women Voters of Florida President Cecile M. Scoon, Esq. offers the following statement:

“The state’s decision to appeal the Circuit Court’s ruling which found that the Governor’s map did not properly account for the voter-approved Fair District amendment is shameful. The state continues to argue that the legislature and governor can violate the law of Fair Districts simply because they do not agree with precedence set by the Florida Supreme Court. Everyone, including the governor and state legislature, must follow the law. Florida’s voters must know that this fight is not over. The Circuit Court saw the reality of these maps: a dilution of voting power for Black Floridians and the long-ranging impact this plan will have for the next decade. We are hopeful the Appellate Court will uphold Judge Smith’s ruling and allow Floridians the opportunity to vote in fair and lawful districts.”

Media Contact: Blake Summerlin – League of Women Voters of Florida: (772) 217-0772; blake@lwvfl.org