Florida Judge Says DeSantis’s Redistricting Map Is Unconstitutional

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in April 2022. Courtesy of the Florida Governor's Office

A Florida judge on Wednesday said he will block a redistricting map drawn by Gov. Ron DeSantis and approved by legislators, ruling it unconstitutional.

Leon County Circuit Court Judge Layne Smith said the map by DeSantis and his staff would have removed Florida’s 5th Congressional District, which extends from Jacksonville to Tallahassee, and which is represented by black Democrat Al Lawson.