After Virginia, Redistricting War Heads To Florida

By Jen Rice|Democracy Docket Photos: YouTube Screenshots President Donald Trump’s unprecedented, mid-decade redistricting battle has upended congressional district lines across the country. And in three states, we still don’t know which maps will be in effect for the midterm elections. This week, Virginia became the second Democratic-controlled state to fight back against Trump’s gerrymanders, but the plan still needs to survive legal challenges. Meanwhile, Trump has one more GOP play left — Florida, where lawmakers will take up a redistricting plan next week. And in Missouri, all eyes are on the state Supreme Court, which will hear multiple redistricting and referendum appeals in the next few weeks. Nearly one year after Trump’s redistricting arms race began, it’s clear his scheme has not gone according to plan. Republicans have potentially gained up to seven more seats in Congress — five in Texas, one in Missouri and one in North Carolina. They could add two or more seats to their tally if Florida passes a new map in next week’s special session. Democrats have potentially picked up 10 seats — five in California, one in Utah and four in Virginia (if their voter-approved redistricting plan holds up in court). Voters approve Virginia redistricting, moving battle to court This week was a grand slam for Democrats. Virginia voters approved their redistricting plan that could net the party up to four more seats in Congress (provided it survives its share of lawsuits). Democrats cheered. Like clockwork, Trump and his allies claimed — based on zero evidence — that the election was rigged.  Then a trial judge cut the celebration short, declaring the Virginia legislature’s passage of the proposed constitutional amendment and the ensuing referendum on it unconstitutional. The Virginia attorney general’s office immediately announced it would appeal.  Expect court battles ahead. On Monday, the Virginia Supreme Court will hear arguments in an appeal of a lower court order voiding the legislature’s passage of the proposed constitutional amendment. In yet another case, a trial court is expected to rule soon in a GOP lawsuit seeking to block the legislature’s repeal of the 2021 congressional map. All of this must get sorted out quickly — Virginia’s candidate filing period closes on May 29. Florida takes up redistricting next week Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) is calling lawmakers into session next week to take up redistricting, despite escalating unease from his own party, national Democrats vowing to fight back and, it must be noted, the state constitution’s ban on partisan gerrymandering. Republicans are already skittish about last year’s Texas gerrymander, saying that map is unlikely to actually deliver the five more GOP seats Trump claimed Republicans were “entitled” to in the Lone Star State. Now, the question is whether a new Florida map will backfire on Republicans, spreading their support too thin and costing some GOP incumbents their seats. Missouri Supreme Court will hear redistricting appeals Seven months after Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe (R) signed a GOP gerrymander into law, the bulk of the legal challenges are finally getting their chance to go before the state’s highest court.  On May 12, the Missouri Supreme Court will hear a case arguing that the new map should be paused until a referendum election is held. That same day, they will also hear arguments challenging the map itself. Then, on May 27, the court will hear a case arguing that the redistricting special session was unconstitutional. Additionally, the Court of Appeals will hear a case on April 29 challenging the ballot language for the referendum election.