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Florida appeals court reinstates DeSantis-backed congressional map

The court ruled Judge Layne Smith erred when he ordered a replacement map be used for the 2022 election.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A new congressional map drawn by Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' staff that could diminish the state's Black representation in Washington was reinstated by an appeals court Friday, a week after a lower court judge said the map was unconstitutional.

The 1st District Court of appeals ruled Judge Layne Smith erred when he ordered a replacement map be used for the 2022 election. The latest order means the governor's map is reinstated pending the outcome of a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the map.

The DeSantis map would likely boost the number of Florida seats held by Republicans, while also making it difficult for Democratic U.S. Rep. Al Lawson to maintain his seat in a north Florida district where nearly half the voters are Black. Another district that currently favors Black candidates is also redrawn in a way that would make it more difficult for them to win.

"Today's ruling does nothing to change the fact that the Governor's proposed map is a blatantly unconstitutional attack on Black representation in Florida," reads a statement from groups fighting DeSantis' congressional map. "Rather than continuing to waste taxpayer money defending this map, it is our hope the Governor will drop this appeal and allow our state to move forward with Congressional districts that follow the will of the voters under the Fair Districts Amendments and allow all Floridians to make their voices heard in decisions that directly impact their communities. 

"On Emancipation Day in Florida, we are once again reminded that the fight for equal rights for all continues and we look forward to prevailing on behalf of the people of our state."

The order is likely to be appealed to the state Supreme Court, where three of the seven justices have been appointed by DeSantis.

The ruling comes as the state gets closer to the June 13 to 17 qualifying period for federal office. The appeals court cited that urgency in its two-page ruling.

Despite accusations from voting groups that the governor's congressional redistricting plan "deeply diminishes Black representation," DeSantis has remained confident that the maps will ultimately pass legal muster.

10 Tampa Bay's Courtney Holland contributed to this story.

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