redistricting

Florida's new congressional map cuts in half the number of districts where Black voters can elect their candidate of choice.

A coalition of local activists and voting rights groups contend that City Council diluted the influence of Black residents by packing a majority into four of the city's 14 districts.

Several counties in the new District 2 are in Lawson's congressional district or were in districts he's represented in the state House and Senate.

The decision comes a week after a lower court judge said the map was unconstitutional.

In a recent Florida Matters, host Matthew Peddie talked with political journalist William March about how Gov. Ron DeSantis' new redistricting maps will impact voters across the Tampa area.

Judge Layne Smith sided with voting-rights groups that requested he lift the stay.

The Democrat joined Ben Diamond, who pulled out of the race last week and cited the state's new congressional map.

He agreed with voting-rights groups that said the changes to a North Florida congressional district would eliminate the ability of Black voters to elect a candidate of their choice.

In a response, attorneys for Secretary of State Laurel Lee say keeping the current sprawling configuration of District 5 would violate the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution.

State Sen. Linda Stewart said the "latest word" on the state's plan puts Disney in a new district controlled by the governor's appointees.

The plaintiffs say the new map is "intentionally destroying Black opportunity districts in Florida and splintering Black communities of interest throughout the State."

The legislature will require Pinellas County commissioners in single-member districts to run again after county maps were redrawn for redistricting.