Voters Ask Fla. Supreme Court to Block DeSantis Mid-Decade Redistricting

Two Florida voters asked the state Supreme Court on Thursday to block Gov. Ron DeSantis' push for mid-decade congressional redistricting, arguing the Republican governor lacks constitutional authority to force lawmakers to redraw district lines outside the normal decennial cycle tied to the U.S. Census.

The petition targets DeSantis' Jan. 7 proclamation calling a special legislative session on redistricting from April 20 to April 24 and related election directives issued by Secretary of State Cord Byrd.

"On January 7, 2026, after trying for months to convince the Legislature to undergo mid-decade redistricting on his preferred timeline, the Governor issued a proclamation calling a special session," the petition said. "The decision over whether and when to reapportion Florida's congressional districts belongs to the Legislature."

The case, Pines v. DeSantis, also argues that the administration's steps have created uncertainty for candidates and election officials. 

The petition says that while relying on the governor and secretary of state's actions, "congressional candidates otherwise required to collect signatures from residents living in their district will have instead submitted signatures from residents living in other districts," warning that if lawmakers do not redraw lines, normal rules could "snap back into effect."

DeSantis has said the session is needed to reflect population shifts and to respond to a pending U.S. Supreme Court ruling affecting how race can be considered in drawing districts. 

"Every Florida resident deserves to be represented fairly and constitutionally," DeSantis said when announcing the session.

The legal fight comes as both parties pursue aggressive midcycle map changes ahead of the November midterms. Republicans hold 20 of Florida's 28 U.S. House seats.

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