Story perspectives

Florida House Approves DeSantis Gerrymander, Cuts Hispanic Seat

5/1/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Florida House approved Governor Ron DeSantis’ map by an 83-28 vote.
DeSantis staffer drew the map two weeks, leaked it to Fox News, and lawmakers saw it before voting.
Democratic leaders called the map a partisan gerrymander that breaches 2010 Fair District amendments and eliminates four districts, including a Central Florida Hispanic-majority seat.
Lawmakers voted after Supreme Court struck down a Louisiana majority-Black district, prompting DeSantis to cite ruling.

History

Historical Context

Reynolds v. Sims (1964) forced state legislatures, including Florida, to create roughly equal-population districts, overturning decades of malapportionment. The ruling spurred periodic redistricting, leading the 2022-23 cycle to trim four Florida House seats. Governor Ron DeSantis and Fox News aides then pushed an 83-28 partisan map, a move that may prompt a 2024 Florida Supreme Court review.

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Story summary

The Florida House approved Governor Ron DeSantis’ map by an 83-28 vote.
DeSantis staffer drew the map two weeks, leaked it to Fox News, and lawmakers saw it before voting.
Democratic leaders called the map a partisan gerrymander that breaches 2010 Fair District amendments and eliminates four districts, including a Central Florida Hispanic-majority seat.
Lawmakers voted after Supreme Court struck down a Louisiana majority-Black district, prompting DeSantis to cite ruling.

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