Date Set for Review of Florida Districting Map

(CN) - The Florida legislature and a coalition that includes the League of Women Voters, have agreed to a schedule for a circuit court judge in Tallahassee can determine whether lawmakers have finally drawn a congressional map that passes constitutional muster.

The agreement filed on Tuesday sets a four-day period, from Sept. 22 to Sept. 25, 2015, for the review by Leon County Circuit Court Judge George Reynolds III. Circuit Court Judge Terry Lewis, who has been involved in the long-running districting challenge from its beginning, will also participate.

Once their review is completed, the case will return to the Florida Supreme Court, struck down eight of the districts in a divided ruling on July 9.

The ruling was a victory for the coalition, which also includes concerned citizens and several other groups, who assert that districts drawn in 2012 were "taint[ed] by unconstitutional intent to favor the Republican Party and incumbent lawmakers."

Specifically, they contend the electoral precinct drafted during the one-in-a-decade redistricting process violate anti-gerrymandering rules approved by voters in 2010.

Lawmakers are scheduled to return to the state capitol next month to approve a revised plan that seeks to comply with the Supreme Court ruling. The special session with be held from August 10 to 21.

Subscribe to Closing Arguments

Sign up for new weekly newsletter Closing Arguments to get the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and hot cases and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world.

Email *

Submit