Story perspectives

DeSantis Pushes Mid-Decade Redistricting; Rove Warns GOP Losses

4/26/2026

Summary

Story summary

Governor Ron DeSantis and Florida lawmakers will hold a session next week to consider mid-decade congressional redistricting.
Republican strategist Karl Rove warned the plan could force GOP votes into Democratic districts, risking seat losses.
Democratic leaders say the proposal violates Florida’s Fair Districts amendments and pledge to target Republican seats if maps change, while legal experts warn anti-gerrymandering provisions could make defending a new map before the Supreme Court difficult.

History

Historical Context

In 1962 the U.S. Supreme Court, with Chief Justice Earl Warren, decided Baker v. Carr, granting courts power to enforce “one-person-one-vote” and ordering Florida to redraw 100 districts within 18 months. The ruling reversed 1940s-50s refusals to hear apportionment suits and spurred nationwide map changes. Today Governor Ron DeSantis and strategist Karl Rove propose mid-decade redistricting that could be judged by the same precedent.

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Story summary

Governor Ron DeSantis and Florida lawmakers will hold a session next week to consider mid-decade congressional redistricting.
Republican strategist Karl Rove warned the plan could force GOP votes into Democratic districts, risking seat losses.
Democratic leaders say the proposal violates Florida’s Fair Districts amendments and pledge to target Republican seats if maps change, while legal experts warn anti-gerrymandering provisions could make defending a new map before the Supreme Court difficult.

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