The Republican Party of Florida praised the U.S. Supreme Court for striking down Louisiana's congressional map as an unconstitutional racial gerrymander in a statement this week.
The 6-3 vote, based on Louisiana v. Callais, ruled that the state's map relied too heavily on race in drawing district lines, weakening the Voting Rights Act.
“Gone are the days of snake-shaped districts. Our maps are drawn fairly and reflect the makeup of our state. The truth is, Republicans hold a more than 1.4 million voter registration advantage in Florida," Florida GOP Chairman Evan Power said.
The ruling is likely to have major implications for Florida, which is currently debating redrawing its own congressional maps on Wednesday.
Gov. Ron DeSantis praised the ruling on social media.
"Called this one months ago. The decision implicates a district in FL — the legal infirmities of which have been corrected in the newly-drawn (and soon to be enacted) map," DeSantis wrote.
Gov. DeSantis added, "The SCOTUS ruling also invalidates the below provisions of the FL Constitution requiring the use of race in redistricting: …districts shall not be drawn with the intent or result of denying or abridging the equal opportunity of racial or language minorities to participate in the political process or to diminish their ability to elect representatives of their choice.”
The House voted 83-28 to approve Gov. Ron DeSantis's redrawn congressional map that could give Florida Republicans an extra four seats in Congress. The Senate is expected to vote on the measure later today.
"Governor Ron DeSantis and our Legislature have put forward a map that fairly represents Florida’s voters and communities. "We encourage the Legislature to move forward and pass the new congressional map without delay,” Power said.
