Florida Appeals Court Reverses and Upholds DeSantis's Congressional Maps

A state appeals court in Florida has reversed a lower court ruling that deemed Governor Ron DeSantis's congressional maps unconstitutional. The lower court had cited a 2015 Florida Supreme Court case that found state Republicans violated the Fair Districts Amendments, which restrict partisan gerrymandering. The appeals court disagreed, stating that the lower court misapplied precedent and should have dismissed the case. The ruling means that all of North Florida's congressional districts, held by Republicans, will remain in effect for the 2024 elections unless overturned by the Florida Supreme Court. Plaintiffs plan to appeal the case to the state Supreme Court, arguing that the decision sets a dangerous precedent for the erosion of voting rights in Florida.