The Florida House is taking a first step toward Congressional redistricting in the state.
The move comes as several other states are considering the process amid a push from national Republicans and Democrats who hope new maps could help their parties win seats during the midterms.
Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez, a Republican, put out a letter to state lawmakers Thursday asking for volunteers for a Congressional redistricting committee. He said the group will look into redrawing the maps after a recent Florida Supreme Court decision claimed the state’s Constitutional Amendment known as Fair Districts, may be federally illegal.
“It is important to acknowledge that while this may be an opportunity, it is not an expected one, and we do not have the capacity to engage in the full redistricting process experienced during the 2020-2022 term. Thus, we will focus our inquiry on the Congressional map, which was the subject of the recent Florida Supreme Court case, and any relevant legal questions,” Perez wrote.
The amendment prohibits districts that dimmish the ability for minority voters to “elect representatives of their choice,” something Governor Ron DeSantis’ administration argued constitutes a racial gerrymander when redrawing the maps in recent years. Over the past few weeks, DeSantis has already voiced support for redistricting in Florida.
“We're malapportioned right now as a country, I think because of the migration and but the state of Florida, I think for sure. So I think there's ample justification to do it,” he said during a press conference last month.
Texas has also launched a redistricting process after prompting from the Trump administration. Blue states like California have responded by saying they will consider their own process.
Perez is giving lawmakers till next Friday to apply to be on the committee.